The KINGBIRD New York State Ornithological Association, Inc. Vol. 61 No. 1 March 2011 THE KINGBIRD (ISSN 0023-1606), published quarterly (March, June, September, December), is a peer-reviewed publication of the New York State Ornithological Association, Inc., which has been organized to further the study of bird life and to disseminate knowledge thereof, to educate the public in the need for conserving natural resources, and to document the ornithology of the state and maintain the official Checklist of the Birds of New York State. Website: http://nybirds.org Members of NYSOA receive The Kingbird and the newsletter New York Birders. Membership is available in the following annual categories: Individual $28 Contributing $50 Family $30 Kingbird Club $100 Supporting $35 Student $15 Clubs and organizations —variable, inquire. Institutional subscriptions to The Kingbird are $25 annually. All amounts stated above are payable in US funds only, with checks payable to NYSOA. Add $10 to all categories for addresses in Canada or Mexico, $20 for all other non-US addresses. Applications for membership and subscriptions: New York State Ornithological Association, Inc., P.O. Box 296, Somers, NY 10589. Requests for single copies and back numbers ($5.00 each): New York State Ornithological Association, Inc., P.O. Box 296, Somers, NY 10589. Postmaster—send address changes to: THE KINGBIRD , P.O. Box 296, Somers, NY 10589. ©2011 New York State Ornithological Association, Inc. All rights reserved. NEW YORK STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, INC. 2010-2011 Officers President Carena Pooth, 22 Brothers Rd., Poughquag, NY 12570 Vice-President Gail Kirch, 1099 Powderhouse Rd., Vestal, NY 13850 Corresponding Secretary Michael DeSha, 26 Chestnut Street, Franklinville, NY 14737 Recording Secretary Joan E. Collins, 120 Regan Rd., Potsdam, NY 13676 Treasurer Andrew Mason, 1039 Peck St., Jefferson, NY 12093 Directors (Term Expiration Dates) Robert Adamo 2011 Jeremy Kirchman 2011 Bard Prentiss 2011 Victor Lamoureux 2012 Shaibal S. Mitra 2012 Robert Spahn 2012 continued on inside back cover e /.KINGBIRD PUBLICATION OF THE NEW YORK STATE ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, INC. Volume 61 No. 1_March 2011_pp. 1-104 CONTENTS Report of the New York State Avian Records Committee for 2009.2 American Kestrel Nest Box Management Program in Northern New York State Mark Manske.23 Notes and Observations A Cave Swallow Event along New York’s Lake Ontario Shore David Tetlow .33 A Very Old Bird Richard Guthrie.34 Two Fall Flights of Lesser Black-backed Gulls on Long Island Shaibal S. Mitra.35 Highlights of the Season — Fall 2010 Robert G. Spahn.37 Corrigendum.42 Regional Reports.43 Photo Gallery.49 Standard Regional Report Abbreviations, Reporting Deadlines and Map of Reporting Regions.103 Editor — S. S. Mitra Regional Reports Editor - Robert G. Spahn Circulation and Membership Managers - Barbara Butler, Bema Lincoln Cover Illustration - Western Kingbird, Captree SP, Suffolk, © Lloyd Spitalnik. The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 1 REPORT OF THE NEW YORK STATE AVIAN RECORDS COMMITTEE FOR 2009 The New York State Avian Records Committee (hereafter “NYSARC” or the “Committee”) reviewed 159 reports from 2009, involving 91 separate sightings, and an additional two reports from previous years. Reports were received from all over the state, with 31 of the 62 counties represented. The number of reports accompanied by photographs remains high. The Committee wishes to remind readers that reports submitted to eBird, listserves, local bird clubs, rare bird alerts (RBAs) and Regional Editors of The Kingbird are not necessarily forwarded to NYSARC, and doing so remains the responsibility of the observer. The growing use of the internet and mobile phones has had a very positive impact on the timely dissemination of rare bird sightings and has made it easier for birders to locate birds found by others. The Committee has always held that receipt of multiple independent reports provides a much fuller documentation of the sighting and can in some cases increase the likelihood of acceptance. We therefore urge ALL observers, not just the finder, to submit written reports and/or photographs. The names of the 98 contributors who submitted materials (written reports, photographs, or sketches) are listed alongside accepted reports and again at the end of this document. Where possible, the names of the original finders are included in the narratives. Production of this Annual Report is a team effort. In addition to the contributors mentioned above, several of The Kingbird's Regional Editors have helped observers to prepare and submit documentation. The Committee also thanks Mike Morgante and David Suggs for forwarding important documentation. HOW TO SUBMIT REPORTS Advice on how to prepare and submit a report is provided on the NYSARC pages within the NYSOA web site: http://nybirds.org/NYSARC/NYSARChome.htm Here, a list of species requested for review by NYSARC (The Review List) is provided along with illustrated copies of previous annual reports. The Committee is very grateful to Carena Pooth (NYSOA President and website administrator) for updating and continuously improving the NYSARC web site. An on-line reporting form allows observers to compose a written report and attach up to five digital image files. Documentation (written reports and photographs) and any other correspondence for the Committee can also be sent via email or regular mail to: Jeanne Skelly, Secretary for NYSARC 420 Chili-Scottsville Road, Churchville, NY 14428 E-mail: nysarc3@nybirds.org 2 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) COMMITTEE NEWS Discussions at the Committee's Annual Meeting on 4 September 2010 in Coxsackie, New York, led to three changes in the NYSARC Review List. In recognition of its significant rarity away from marine habitat, sightings of Least Tern ( Sternula antillarum ) from upstate will now be reviewed and archived. Reports from Regions 9 and 10, where the tern is common in summer, are not required. Upstate sightings of Yellow-crowned Night-Heron {Nyctanassa violacea) and Nelson’s Sparrow ( Ammodramus nelsoni) will be removed from the review process. Although uncommon, both species have shown regular patterns of occurrence upstate. Specimens and sight reports clearly document the regular occurrence of the Nelson’s Sparrow subspecies alterus in central and western New York State. This population nests in Canada from James Bay, Quebec, north to Churchill, Manitoba, and winters in coastal areas of the Mid- Atlantic States. The subspecies subvirgcttus breeds in the upper reaches of the St. Lawrence Estuary in New Brunswick and Quebec and accounts for increasingly regular sightings in northern New York, especially near the north end of Lake Champlain. Leach’s Storm-Petrel ( Ocecinodroma leucorhoa) was also discussed, but it was agreed to leave the species on the statewide review list. During the summers of 2009 and 2010, birders/fishermen venturing into deep water in the southeast quadrant of the New York State pelagic zone made counts that far exceed previous totals. Although surveys are limited, there is no evidence that birds were present in similar numbers in the past. Whether this will represent a sustained phenomenon or just a temporary quirk of the changing marine ecosystems is unknown, and the Committee agreed to continue to carefully monitor this species. HIGHLIGHTS Highlights of the 2009 Annual Report include the first record of the high-arctic mandtii subspecies of Black Guillemot ( Cepphus grylle mandtii) and the fourth record of Pink-footed Goose ( Anser bmchyrhynchus ), both from Long Island. This was also an excellent year for gulls, with three different Mew Gulls ( Lams canus), including individuals attributable to both the nominate and North American ( bmchyrhynchus ) subspecies, as well as at least two different California Gulls (L. californicus ) and two first-cycle Thayer's Gulls (L. thayeri). The last are among New York’s most thoroughly documented records of this imperfectly understood taxon. Sightings of Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) have increased in recent years, and in 2009 individuals were recorded in Richmond, Suffolk, Rockland, and Essex Counties. The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 3 2009 Reports Accepted Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) 2009-72-A/B One, Sunken Meadow State Park and environs, Suffolk, 8 & 15 Nov (Thomas B. Johnson, Thomas W. Burke; ph T. Johnson, Gail Benson) This marks die third consecutive winter a Pink-footed Goose has appeared on Long Island. The first Pink-footed Goose accepted to the state list related to the bird staying in Montauk from November 2007 to March 2008. Also in 2008, a second one appeared on Long Island at Stony Brook in February, and then the following winter a single bird visited Flushing, Queens from December 2008 until January 2009. The current record represents a bird found by Ken and Sue Feustel on 3 Nov at Sunken Meadow State Park and reported there, and also at nearby Kings Park High School, into December 2009. Based on plumage and bill characteristics, none of these sightings were determined to involve duplicate birds. Given that this species is rarely kept in aviaries, that vagrancy from Greenland has become increasingly likely, and that there has been a growing number of sightings on the east coast in recent years, plus other important factors associated with the reports received, the Committee has accepted this evidence as supportive of vagrancy. The photographs of this individual from Tom Johnson and Gail Benson, taken at Sunken Meadow State Park and the nearby Kings Park High School ball fields, respectively, and those published by S. Mitra (The Kingbird 60(1): 42) are sufficient to establish the identification. ‘Black’ Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) 2009-22-A One, Wolfe’s Pond Park, Staten Island, Richmond, 25 Mar (Angus Wilson; ph A. Wilson) One or two ‘Black’ Brant are seen annually on the south shore of Staten Island, particularly in the late winter or early spring when ‘Atlantic’ Brant (B. b. hrota ) seem to disperse from their winter feeding sites. During the preceding winter a ‘Black’ Brant was seen regularly in South Amboy, NJ, less than five miles across Raritan Bay. Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) 2009-9-A One, Neelytown Road, Town of Montgomery, Orange, 27 Feb (Betsy Carswell) 2009-71-A One, Sunken Meadow State Park, Suffolk, 8 Nov (Thomas B. Johnson; ph T. Johnson) The Committee has in recent years accepted records of Barnacle Geese based on their pattern of geographic appearance and their general behavior. In addition to a wintering bird that frequented the Farmingdale area (see 2008-87-C), two additional reports were accepted this year from the southeastern section of the state. The first was seen by Betsy Carswell in Montgomery, Orange County, on 27 Feb, foraging in a harvested cornfield with likely migratory Canada Geese. The second was found by Patricia Lindsay and Shai Miua on 3 Nov, at Sunken Meadow State Park on Long Island, as they followed up the discovery earlier that day of the Pink-footed Goose described above. Like the Pink-footed Goose, this Barnacle Goose was observed at Sunken Meadow State Park, and also at The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 4 nearby Kings Park High School, at least into late November 2009. A photo by Shai Mitra was published in The Kingbird 60(1): 42. ‘Eurasian’ Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca crecca ) 2009-19-A/B One adult male, Milburn Pond, Baldwin, Nassau, 3-4, 24 Jan (Shaibal S. Mitra, Steve Walter; ph. S. Mitra, S. Walter) This male was found during the Southern Nassau County Christmas Bird Count by Patricia Lindsay. Careful scrutiny revealed no evidence of hybridization with ‘American’ Green-winged Teal (A. c . carolinensis). This form is actively searched for by participants on this count, with 13 previous sightings plus some additional hybrids. A photograph by Steve Walter was published in The Kingbird 59(2): 168. Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula ) 2009-21-A/G One adult male, Hudson River off Esopus Meadows Lighthouse Park, Ulster, 22, 24-26 Mar (Mark DeDea, Jim Dugan, Larry Federman, Richard Guthrie, Chester Vincent, Kenneth M. McDermott, Valerie Freer; ph Kyla Haber, Curt McDermott) 2009-78-A One adult male, Port Kent ferry dock, Essex, 12-13 Feb (Dana C. Rohleder) Both of these adult males spent time in mixed rafts of Ring-necked Ducks (A. collaris) and Lesser Scaup (A. affinis ). Tufted Ducks have become less frequent in the past decade, with more sightings occurring in central and northern New York rather than traditional coastal areas; the reasons for this change remain unexplained. Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica ) 2009-76-A One, Hamlin Beach State Park, Lake Ontario, Hamlin, Monroe, 24-25 Oct. (Willie D’Anna) Andy Guthrie discovered this loon on Lake Ontario, feeding and resting among Common (G. immer) and Red-throated (G. stellata ) Loons, on 24 Oct. Contacted by cell phone, Willie D’Anna was able to bring a field trip he was leading to the location and successfully relocate the Pacific Loon a little further east. This bird was present the following day as well. Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentals ) 2009-11-A One, Atlantic Ocean, off Atlantic Ave., Amagansett, Suffolk, 10 Jan (Shaibal S. Mitra) 2009-12-A/B One, Raritan Bay off Lemon Creek Park, Richmond, 4 Jan (Shaibal S. Mitra; ph S. Mitra) 2009-73-A/D One, Piermont Pier, Piermont, Rockland, 10-13 Nov (Alan W. Wells, Maha Katnani, Carol A. Weiss, Gerald S. Lazarczyk; ph A. Wells, M. Katnani, C. Weiss) 2009-79-A One, Port Douglas boat launch, near Keensville, Essex, 5 Dec (Dayna Lalonde) The frequency of Western Grebe winter sightings in New York has continued to increase. Bull (1974) considered it hypothetical, with no specimens or photographs before 1974; the first NYSARC accepted report occurred subsequently in 1978, and the species has been reported annually since 2002. This year reports of an unprecedented four sightings in the state were received, The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 5 with one from Lake Champlain, one on the Hudson River and two along the southern coast. Birders have become more aware of the need to separate Clark’s and Western Grebes, and that has been reflected in the reports received. The first Western for 2009 was seen and digiscoped by Shai Mitra off Staten Island on 4 Jan and located again in late March. Five days later another was found by Jom Ake on 9 Jan in the Atlantic Ocean off Amagansett and was re-found the next day. Later, in mid November, one appeared at Piermont; excellent photos by Alan Wells show that this bird was entangled in fishing line but seemed free to move about. And finally, Dayna Lalonde found one on Lake Champlain on 5 Dec near Keensville. Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis ) 2009-66-A One, Main Beach, East Hampton, Suffolk, 27 Sep (Angus Wilson) 2009-80-A One, Cottage Point, Ditch Plains, Suffolk, 24 Oct (Angus Wilson) Both of these land-based sightings were from the South Fork of eastern Long Island and associated with strong southerly onshore winds. There is evidence that Northern Fulmars occur with regularity offshore during the fall through to spring but sightings from land are relatively rare. White-faced Storm-Petrel (Pelagodroma marina) 2009-47-A One, at sea (39°55.454N, -7L43.473W), 79 nmi SSE of Shinnecock Inlet, 16 Aug (John Shemilt; ph J. Shemilt) 2009-48-A One, at sea (39°50.656N, -71°17.016W), 81 nmi SSE of Shinnecock Inlet, 16 Aug (John Shemilt; ph J. Shemilt) 2009-49-A One, at sea (39°45.132N, -71°56.175W), 70 nmi S of Shinnecock Inlet, 17 Aug (John Shemilt; ph J. Shemilt) On 16 Aug John Shemilt and party were fishing out at the edge of the Continental Shelf on a flat calm sea—ideal conditions for storm-petrel viewing. They encountered the first White-faced Storm-Petrel at 9:29 am in water of moderate depth at approximately 250 fathoms (1,500 ft) deep. The second bird was found further east over Block Canyon at 9:50 am in water that was approximately 400 fathoms (2,400 ft) deep and ‘Gulf Stream blue’ (76°F). Whether these were the same or different individuals is hard to determine, but it seems likely that under appropriate conditions multiple individuals might exploit similar feeding opportunities. The next day they found another individual feeding along a line of Sargasso weed in 88 fathoms (525 ft) of blue-green (75 °F) water, A photograph by John Shemilt of the second 16 Aug bird was published in the The Kingbird 59(4): 353. Leach’s Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa ) 2009-51-A Seven plus, at sea (40°33.217N, -72°14.783W; 40°13.717N, -71°58.950W; 40°06.767, -71 °53. 533W), 43-74 nmi SSE of Shinnecock Inlet, 11 Jul (John Shemilt; ph J. Shemilt) 2009-52-A Twenty-five plus, area from the Dip to the Middle Grounds, (39°53.500N, - 71°43.00W to -39°55.260N, 71°29.00W), 65- 78 nmi SSE of Shinnecock Inlet, 15 Aug (John Shemilt; ph J. Shemilt) 2009-53-A Twenty plus, between Block Canyon and the Middle Grounds, (39°46.720N, - 71°16.00W and 30°48.690N, 71°30.00W) 79-82 nmi SSE of Shinnecock, 16 Aug (John 6 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) Shemilt; ph J. Shemilt) 2009-54-A Ten plus, mostly singles, the Dip (39°52.833N, -71°44.200W) and 8 nmi south in The Claw, 27 June (John Shemilt; ph J. Shemilt) On fishing trips during late June and mid-August, John Shemilt observed and photographed Leach’s Storm-Petrels at multiple locations in water that was anywhere from 600 to 3,000 feet deep and with a surface temperature ranging from 62° to 76°F. A photograph by John Shemilt from 16 Aug was published in The Kingbird 59(4); 353. American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos ) 2009-43-A One, Hudson River at foot of Canal St., Port Ewen, Ulster, 10 July (Kenneth M. McDermott) American White Pelican has recently established a regular pattern of vagrancy to the Northeast, with most records in New York State in spring or fall but with fewer in July. This bird, initially seen on 9 July by a few birders off Canal Street in Port Ewen on the Hudson River, was re-found the next morning and reported by Ken McDermott, who watched the pelican for forty minutes before it took flight and disappeared. Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) 2009-42-A/B One adult, outer breakwall, Dunkirk Harbor, Chautauqua, 7 Jul (William W. Watson, Gerald S. Lazarczyk; ph W. Watson, G. Lazarczyk) 2009-46-A/B One, Fourth Lake, between Inlet and Old Forge, Herkimer, 19-20 Aug (Barbara Putnam, Carolyn Belknap; ph Christy Snow, C. Belknap) Both individuals appeared to be adults or subadults. Brown Pelican is not a species one expects to encounter on a breakwater along Lake Ontario, never mind on a lake in the Adirondack Mountains, and the Fourth Lake bird, seen in both Herkimer and Hamilton Counties, was new for Region 7 and made a front page splash on The Weekly Adirondack newspaper. By 22 Aug this pelican had moved to Low’s Lake in St. Lawrence County, Region 6, where it was observed begging for food and was eventually captured and taken to a wildlife rehabilitator. Unfortunately, the pelican died on 29 Aug, and a necropsy found that it had ingested Styrofoam bait containers and other items that likely led to its death. The bird, a male, carried a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service band that was originally placed on it in Maryland in July 2001. On 14 Jul, a citizen recovered the carcass of a Brown Pelican on Wide Beach in Erie County. The carcass was delivered to the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History in Jamestown. It is believed to be the bird seen a week earlier in Dunkirk Harbor only 13 miles southwest. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) 2009-37-A One, near Peter Scott Swamp, off County Route 12, Oswego, 17 May (Robert Fisk) 2009-91-A One, near Mays Point Pool, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, Seneca, 19 Apr (Christopher L. Wood; ph C. Wood) This night-heron reaches its northern boundary in southern New York, though a few individuals do wander farther north, especially in the spring. The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 7 White Ibis (Eudocimus cilbus) 2009-61-A/F One, Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area, Niagara, 20-26 Sep, 22 Oct, (William W. Watson, Gerald S. Lazarczyk, Dominic F. Sherony, Willie D’Anna, Mark A. Pearce; ph D. Sherony, W. D’Anna, Joe Mitchell) This first-year bird was discovered by Mark Pearce on 20 Sep in a prominent egret roost. The bird was generally seen only at the roost, and it was never found feeding anywhere in the extensive state and federal wetlands in the vicinity. Most records of White Ibis are from the coastal region. Thus, this first inland record since 1980 is especially significant. This ibis was seen regularly up through 29 Sep but then not seen again until 21 Oct and was last reported on 22 Oct. In the interim, a juvenile White Ibis was reported briefly from two locations along the north shore of Lake Ontario in Ontario; given the extreme rarity of tills species inland, it seems very plausible that only one individual was involved. Watson (2009) detailed these occurrences. Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) 2009-31-A/B One, Irving Road, Greene, 17 May (Danika M. Raup, William J. Raup) The observers were stopped on the side of the road in an area of mixed hardwood forest and wet meadow when this highly distinctive kite flew over the trees at the top of the next rise, circled and headed back in the direction it had come from. It made several stiff swallow-like turns in the breeze and then flew more directly when harassed by American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos). A careful search of the area failed to relocate the bird. The bulk of the thirty or so previous records have been from the spring. Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) 2009-35-A/H Two, Mapletown Rd, Town of Root, Montgomery, 1 Jun-19 Jul (Stephanie Restuccia, Brenda Best, Kevin McGann, Kimberly Sucy, Richard Guthrie, William W. Watson, Brendan Fogarty, ph Michael Restuccia, B. Best, K. Sucy, R. Guthrie, B. Fogarty) Stephanie Restuccia discovered a Mississippi Kite on 1 Jun in the Town of Root that her husband Michael was able to photograph. There were no further sightings until 27 Jun when she again spotted a single bird at the same location. The following day Rich Guthrie and Kevin McGann searched the area and saw two kites simultaneously. From then through late Jul, one or two birds were seen regularly, with the last report coming on 3 Aug. These sightings come in the context of an apparent northward range expansion in recent years, including first breeding records in New Hampshire and Connecticut. The presence of two birds at this location, one an adult male and the other a female type, led to speculation that they could breed here as well, but no evidence of breeding was found. NYSARC has accepted 21 records of Mississippi Kite, including three in 2008. Most of these have been flyby birds seen only briefly by a small number of individuals. The kites at Root were easily the most accessible in New York State history, and both were seen by dozens of observers over the course of the summer. A photograph of one of the Root kites taken by Courtney Moore was published in The Kingbird 59(4): 351. The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) Swainson’s Hawk {Buteo swainsoni ) 2009-28-A One, Derby Hill Bird Observatory, Mexico, Oswego, 24 Apr (Kyle Wright) 2009-63-A/F One juv., Route 9W near Coxsackie, Greene, 3, 9-12 Oct (Richard Guthrie, Alan W. Wells, William W. Watson, Angus Wilson, Gerald S. Lazarczyk, Willie D'Anna; ph R. Guthrie, A. Wells, W. Watson, A. Wilson, G. Lazarczyk, W. D’Anna) 2009-90-A One, Ontario Beach, Monroe, 29 Aug (Christopher L. Wood; ph Tom Johnson) This was a banner year for Swainson’s Hawk, a long-distance migrant that is most often recorded from spring hawk watches on the southern shore of Lake Ontario. On 3 Oct, Rich Guthrie was stopped at the traffic light on the New York State Thru way entrance in New Baltimore/Coxsackie when he noticed a large sooty brown bird foraging on the side of the busy road. To his surprise it was a hawk and was apparently feasting on grasshoppers. Guthrie had the foresight to pull over and take some photos. Subsequent study and consultation over the Internet with his son, Andy Guthrie, indicated a juvenile Swainson’s Hawk. Remarkably, the bird was in the same place the next morning and, as perhaps the first of its kind to remain in an accessible spot long enough to be chased, the bird entertained many birders from around the state and beyond. Despite climbing to great altitude on several occasions as if to depart, the Swainson’s remained faithful to the area and was last seen in the afternoon on 14 Oct. It marks the first record for Region 8 and only one of a handful of accepted records away from the shore of Lake Ontario. See Guthrie (2010) for a full account. Photos of the New Baltimore bird by Andrew Baksh were published in The Kingbird 60(1): 44. Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus ) 2009-77-A/B One, West End of Jones Beach State Park, Nassau, 25 Oct (John Gluth, Thomas W. Burke; ph J. Gluth, Gail Benson) This immature Gyrfalcon was initially identified as a Peregrine Falcon (F peregrinus ) as it fed on a Herring Gull (Lartis argentatus ) and made brief flights around the dune scrub at Jones Beach West End. The true identification came to light after Luke Ormand posted images of the bird to a photography website and several connnenters raised the possibility that it was a Gyrfalcon. The reports and photographs submitted to NYSARC confirmed this identification and showed no evidence of hybrid or captive origins. This represents the third earliest fall record accepted by NYSARC, and the earliest coastal record. Photos by Luke Ormand were published in The Kingbird 60(1): 41. Yellow Rail (Cotnrnicops noveboracensis ) 2009-65-A One, Goetchius Preserve, Flatiron Road, Town of Caroline, Tompkins, 17 Oct (John L. Confer) This Yellow Rail was picked up by the observer’s dog, Belle Flower, whilst they were walking through an extensive hay meadow. As the observer took what he assumed would be a corpse from the dog’s mouth it unexpectedly sprung to life and flew about 10 m before disappearing out of sight. Although Yellow Rails nest in Quebec and Ontario, they remain a very scarcely detected migrant The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 9 throughout New York, predominantly in the fall. There have been at least two winter sightings from undisturbed coastal marshes on Long Island, suggesting a few birds might winter, but, unfortunately, documentation to support these reports has not been submitted for review. King Rail (Rallus elegans ) 2009-36-A/C Two, near the intersection of Peter Scott Road and Rt. 12 (Phoenix- Caughdenoy Rd), Town of Schroeppel, Oswego, 16-18 May (Charles C. Spagnoli, Mickey Scilingo, Brad Carlson) Two (possibly three) birds were heard calling repeatedly from a freshwater swamp that also contained Virginia Rail ( R. limicola). The birds were first encountered by Mickey Scilingo, who made an audio recording. Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica ) 2009-64-A/B One juv., South end of Quaker Pond, Mendon Ponds Park, Monroe, 11 & 13 Oct (Brad Carlson, Patricia Martin; ph B. Carlson) Pat Martin spotted this immature Purple Gallinule on 11 Oct as it walked along the edge of the Quaker Pond Trail. Visiting the site on the 13th, Brad Carlson came upon the bird’s carcass at the water’s edge; it appeared to be freshly dead (warm, no rigor mortis and clear eyes). The specimen was subsequently deposited in the Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology collection. Black-necked Stilt (,Himantopus mexicanus) 2009-27-A/B One, Marine Nature Study Area, Oceanside and Cow Meadow Park, Freeport, Nassau, 10, 12 May (Eileen Schwinn, Karen Fung; ph K. Fung) This Black-necked Stilt was discovered on 8 May at the Marine Nature Study Area in Oceanside by Rich Carlson and Pat Eagan. From then until the last report on 17 May, it was seen sporadically at that location and also at least once at Cow Meadow Park in Freeport, about two miles away. Mew Gull (Larus canus ) 2009-3-A/C One, Lake Ontario at Olcott Harbor, Town of Olcott, Niagara, 15 Feb (William W. Watson, Jim Pawlicki, Willie D’Anna; ph David Gordon, W. D’Anna, W. Watson) 2009-4-A/B One, Eight Mile Creek, Olcott Harbor, Niagara, 22 Feb (James Pawlicki, Willie D’Anna; ph J. Pawlicki) 2009-88-A/B One, Gravesend Bay, Brooklyn, Kings, 26 Dec and 10 Jan, 2010 (Shane Blodgett, Elliotte Harold; ph S. Blodgett, E. Harold) The first New York record of Mew Gull occurred in 1986. There have now been ten accepted records, including a remarkable three birds in 2009. The two Olcott birds were found a week apart by Jim Pawlicki; both were one-day wonders. The first was an adult of the North American subspecies, brachyrhynchus. A photograph of this bird, taken by David Gordon, appeared in North American Birds 63(2); 234. The second, also an adult, was obviously a different individual and may have been of the nominate European subspecies, but the observers and the Committee both felt that the view of the all-important wing pattern was insufficient to confirm this. The Brooklyn bird, found by Shane Blodgett, was 10 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) also an adult. It was reported on the email lists at least until 5 Mar 2010, although reports were received only for 26 Dec and 10 Jan 2010. The excellent documentation confirmed that this individual belonged to the nominate subspecies. California Gull (Lams californicus ) 2009-7-A One, Hamlin Beach, Monroe, 1 Jan (Christopher L. Wood; ph. C. Wood) 2009-62-A/B One, Niagara River, Goat Island and l A mi upstream of the power plants, Niagara, 7 Oct, 21 Nov (William W. Watson, Willie D’Anna; ph J. Pawlidd) California Gull in 2009 continued its recent trend of annual appearances in western New York. The Hamlin Beach bird, seen only in flight, was tentatively aged based on visible plumage as a retarded second-cycle or an advanced first- cycle. The two Niagara River reports likely pertain to the same 3rd-basic individual. Thayer’s Gull (Laras thayeri) 2009-69-A One, first cycle, Stevenson Rd, Dryden, Tompkins, 17-19 Feb (Thomas B. Johnson: ph T. Johnson) 2009-70-A One, first cycle, Sheldrake Point, Cayuga Lake, Seneca and the Ithaca area, Tompkins, 7-10 Nov (Thomas B. Johnson; ph T. Johnson) These two well-documented first-cycle Thayer’s Gulls were found in the Cayuga Basin. The first was found by Tom Johnson and Shawn Billerman at the productive compost piles at Stevenson Road in Dryden and was seen there over the next two days. The second bird was initially found by Tom Johnson at Sheldrake Point on the west side of Cayuga Lake on 6 Nov, and then was seen for several days at the south end of the lake, at Stewart Park and on the docks at Allen H. Treman State Marine Park, as well as in Dryden. Both gulls allowed close study and photography, resulting in two of the most fully documented reports of the species in New York State. Although there are multiple reports in the State each year, primarily from the Niagara River, very few are adequately documented in part because of the distances the geography of the river imposes between the observers and the birds. Given the complexities in identifying Thayer’s Gull, particularly in separating all ages from the highly variable ‘KumlienV Iceland Gull {L. glaucoides kumlieni), NYSARC has taken a conservative approach in reviewing reports of this species. See further comments on this issue in the NYSARC Annual Reports for 1999 (The Kingbird 52(1): 8-26) and 2000 (The Kingbird 52(4): 291-319). Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea ) 2009-33-A One second summer type, Cupsogue County Park, near Moriches Inlet, Suffolk, 13 & 21 Jun (Shaibal S. Mitra; ph S. Mitra) 2009-34-A One near adult, Democrat Point, Fire Island Inlet, Suffolk, 19 Jun (Shaibal S. Mitra; ph S. Mitra) 2009-38-A One near adult, Cupsogue County Park, near Moriches Inlet, Suffolk, 10 Jul (Shaibal S. Mitra; ph S. Mitra) 2009-39-A One of two first summer types, Cupsogue County Park, near Moriches Inlet, Suffolk, 4 Jul (Shaibal S. Mitra; ph S. Mitra) 2009-40-A Second of two first summer types, Cupsogue County Park, near Moriches The Kingbird 2011 March; 61(1) 11 Inlet, Suffolk, 4 Jul (Shaibal S. Mitra; ph S. Mitra) The Committee obtained another series of excellent reports and accompanying photographs from Shai Mitra, carefully documenting multiple Arctic Terns from the sand flats just east of the Moriches Inlet, as well as one on the western tip of Fire Island. The tern described in report 2009-38-A was discovered by Shane Blodgett and Doug Gochfeld earlier in the day, and Patricia Lindsay was the co¬ finder, with Mitra, of the birds documented by reports 2009-33, 39 and 40. Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis ) 2009-41-A One, adult or near adult, Cupsogue County Park, near Moriches Inlet, Suffolk, 4 Jul (Shaibal S. Mitra; ph S. Mitra) Sandwich Tern has become a nearly annual visitor to coastal New York and, as with this example, sightings are not always associated with tropical storms. This individual was found with several other tern species, including two Arctic Terns (reports 2009-39 and 40). Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia) 2009-14-A/B One, Ditch Plains, Suffolk, 28 Feb & 1 Mar (Angus Wilson, Shaibal S. Mitra; ph A. Wilson, S. Mitra) 2009-15-A/D One, Hempstead Lake State Park, Nassau, 8-9 Jan (Shaibal S. Mitra, Steve Walter, Seymour Schiff, Brendan Fogarty; ph S. Mitra, S. Walter, S. Scliiff, B. Fogarty) 2009-16-A One, Block Island Sound off Montauk State Park, Suffolk, 18 Jan (Shaibal S. Mitra) 2009-17-A One off Culloden Point, Montauk, Suffolk, 18 Jan (Shaibal S. Mitra) In New York State, Thick-billed Murre is an occasionally-seen alcid, most often encountered in the vicinity of Montauk Point or eastern Long Island inlets such as Shinnecock, but every once in a while one will appear in a bizarre location— such was the case in early January, when one was discovered by Steve Schellenger at Hempstead Lake State Park, where it survived for two days on a partially frozen set of ponds; on the morning of 10 Jan the murre, having succumbed to the elements overnight, was retrieved off the pond ice and subsequently presented to the American Museum of Natural History. The other sightings later that winter included a Thick-billed first spotted by Hugh McGuinness and Angus Wilson off Montauk Point on 18 Jan and then seen a short time later by Shai Mitra and Doug Futuyma from the bluffs above Turtle Cove as it flew back around the Point. Twenty minute later Shai Mitra and Doug Futuyma observed a Thick-billed Murre from Culloden Point that was flying east. Although it is possible a single bird was involved, the distances and timing would suggest the presence of two individuals. Later that month, Angus Wilson found the same or another on 28 Feb on the other side of the peninsula at Ditch Plains, where it remained for at least two days competing for good waves with the local surfers. Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle mandtii) 2009-86-A/C One, Sebonac Inlet, Sebonac Inlet Road, Southampton, Suffolk, 19, 24 & 26 Dee (Jay D. Kuhlman, Thomas W. Burke, Angus Wilson; ph J Kuhlman, Gail Benson, T. Burke, Lloyd Spitalnik, A. Wilson) 12 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) This distinctive High Arctic subspecies of Black Guillemot was found on 19 Dec by Jay Kuhlman and Rich Sautkulis during the Quogue/Watermill Christmas Bird Count. After the passing of a major snow storm hampered access to the site, the guillemot was re-found and seen by many on a daily basis until 1 Jan 2010. Subzero conditions and strong winds then filled the inlet with ice, forcing the guillemot and other waterfowl elsewhere. Black Guillemots belonging to the more southerly atlantis subspecies group breed south to the Isles of Shoals, off the New Hampshire coast, and winter regularly in modest numbers as close to Long Island as Block Island, Rhode Island. Although scarcer on Long Island, guillemots are sighted there annually, most often along the rocky shores near Montauk Point. The Sebonac Inlet bird is highly significant, both as the first example for New York State of the mandtii (High Arctic or ‘snowy’) subspecies group, a point first raised in public by Shai Mitra, and as one of very few documented examples of this taxon from the lower-48 states. The whereabouts of an historical specimen from Massachusetts attributed to mandtii is unknown (Ridgway 1919; Jeremiah Trimble, pers. com.). Although the taxonomy of the different populations of Black Guillemot remains poorly resolved, all authorities draw a firm distinction between the High and Low Arctic breeders. The taxon ultimus (described from the eastern Canadian Arctic) is often included within mandtii and may not be distinct (Butler and Buckley 2002). Excellent photographs submitted with these reports clearly document the white bases of the greater wing-coverts, extensively white remiges, and broad white tips to black-based dorsal feathers, all of which contribute to a much whiter overall appearance. The photographs also show that the tips of the secondaries were white, forming a distinctive white trailing edge, and the bill was relatively short, features indicative of mandtii. Photos by Andrew Baksh, Luke Ormand, and Shai Mitra were published in The Kingbird 60(2): 136. Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto ) 2009-45-A Two, Church Rd, near Greenwell Farm, Parma, Monroe, 18 Jul (Kimberly Sucy) Since the first accepted record in 2002 (2002-26-A/F) there have been reports of one, two or occasionally even three Eurasian Collared-Doves in the Parma- Hamlin area, generally along this same road. The behavior is suggestive of a mated pair, but to date no evidence of nesting has been presented. Although Eurasian Collared-Dove has become an increasingly familiar sight across much of the US, the expansion into the Northeast seems to have slowed. Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus) 2009-23-A One, Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, Town of Wilson, Niagara, 27 Mar (Willie D’Anna. Betsy Potter; ph W. D’Anna) Betsy Potter spotted this partly obscured owl as it roosted in a spruce tree. A glimpse of the pale rather than dark bill told her it was a Boreal, rather than the more familiar Northern Saw-whet {A. acadicus ). Better views were obtained from a distance using a telescope, and Willie D’Anna managed to take diagnostic photographs with a digital camera. The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 13 Rufous Hummingbird ( Selasphorus rufus) 2009-82-A/C One, Hillside Avenue, Staten Island, Richmond, 10 Oct-17 Dec (Richard Veit, Seth Wollney, Howard Fischer; ph S. Wollney) This bird, visiting Howie Fischer’s feeders, was identified as a hatching-year male on the basis of the reddish feathers scattered across the throat and a greenish rather than rufous back. Photos of the spread tail (especially the shapes of R2 and R5) seemed to rule out the extremely similar Allen’s Hummingbird {Selasphorus sasin). This was confirmed when it was trapped on 2 Nov and measurements of R5 firmly established the identification. Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens ) 2009-75-A/H One, abandoned lot comer of N. Conduit Avenue and Cohancy Street, Queens, 22-23, 29 Nov, 2, 6 Dec (Rudy Badia, Heydi Lopes, Thomas Fiore, Karen Fung, Corey Finger, Seymour Schiff, Joseph Giunta, Gerald S. Lazarczyk; ph R. Badia, H. Lopes, K. Fung, C. Finger) This Ash-throated Flycatcher was found by Rudy Badia on 22 Nov in a weedy lot opposite the Aquaduct North Conduit station of the A subway line (see Badia et al. 2010). Collectively these represent an outstanding set of reports, not only including many definitive photographs but also detailed plumage descriptions and analysis of the identification. Two photos by Andrew Baksh were published in The Kingbird 60(1): 44. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher ( Tyrannus forficatus) 2009-68-A/B One, Van Dyne Spoor Rd, Savannah, Wayne, 24-25 Oct (Douglas Racine, Thomas B. Johnson; ph D. Racine, T. Johnson) Fall reports of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers in New York State are far fewer than those from spring and early summer, and most individuals are only seen during one day. Thus, this bird discovered at the northern Montezuma wetlands complex is especially unusual. During its two-day stay, it was viewed with Sandhill Cranes present in the back of the same field. Excellent photographs of this hatching year bird were submitted by Doug Racine, the original finder, and Tom Johnson. One of Tom Johnson’s photos was published in The Kingbird 60(1): 43. Northern Wheatear ( Oenanthe oenanthe ) 2009-74-A One, Powley Place, Town of Arietta, Hamilton, 3 Nov (Larry F. Hall) This wheatear was observed in a large clearing in a remote area known as Ferris Lake Wild Forest, where it used campfire stones as a vantage point from which to hunt. Although the late date—the second latest accepted by NYSARC—and location are unusual, the detailed description of the bird and its behavior led to unanimous acceptance by the Committee on the first round of review. Interestingly, although historically Northern Wheatear records have been skewed overwhelmingly to coastal locations, of the 14 records accepted by NYSARC since 1979, half have been outside of coastal Region 10. 14 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) Veery (Catharus fuscescens) 2009-89-A One, Alvord Dock Road, Stockport Township, Columbia, 19 Dec (William E. Cook; ph Jeff Novick) Studied by Bill Cook, Jon Boulette and Jeff Novick during the Chatham Christmas Bird Count, this bird was first spotted feeding on the fruit of a Virginia Creeper about 10 feet above the road; it then dropped to the ground, where it was studied and photographed by holding a mobile phone to the eyepiece of a telescope. This species winters in southern Brazil (Remsen 2001), and the early-winter date is well outside the established window of southbound migration, which peaks in late Aug and early Sep (Bevier et al. 2005). Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) 2009-6-A One, Sands Point, Nassau, 30 Jan, 5 & 24 Mar (Douglas L. Kurz; ph D. Kurz) What was likely the same male Varied Thrush made three brief appearances between January and March on the lawn of the observer’s home. Presumably it had wintered in the nearby area. Luckily, on the third visit Doug Kurz managed to digiscope some diagnostic photos. ‘Audubon’s’ Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata auduboni ) 2009-5-A/D One, Tobay, Nassau, 4, 10 Jan (Brent E. Bomkamp, Sy Schiff, Steve Walter, Shaibal S. Mitra; ph B. Bomkamp, S. Walter, S. Mitra) This western counterpart of ‘Myrtle’ Yellow-rumped Warbler (D. c. coronata ) was discovered by Tom Burke and Gail Benson on 3 Jan during the Southern Nassau County Christmas Bird Count. It was seen by many count participants that day and then by others subsequently. Located on the bayside of the Tobay barrier beach, this extensive area of myrtle bushes and other shrubs provides an important resource for migrant and wintering Yellow-rumped Warblers. This is the fourth record of ‘Audubon’s’ from Tobay and 14th for New York State. A photograph by Steve Walter was published in The Kingbird 59(2); 168. Townsend's Warbler (Dendroica townsendi ) 2009-25-A One, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Kings, 25 Apr (Seth Ausubel; ph Doug Gochfeld) This male was discovered by Seth Ausubel during an early spring push of migrants into the region. Ausubel and several other observers studied the bird for about 30 minutes as it fed in a flowering box elder tree before taking flight and disappearing. Seventeen species of warblers were recorded in the park that day, and it seems likely the Townsend’s traveled northwards with these migrants. Appropriately, the report carefully considered the possibility of a hybrid with Hermit Warbler (D. occidentalis). Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus ) 2009-85-A/B One, corner of Irwin and Felton Rds, Peru, Clinton, 30 Dec-1 Jan 2010 (Elizabeth Fitts, William E. Krueger; ph E. Fitts) A harbinger of the New Year in the north country, this Lark Sparrow joined a flock of American Tree Sparrows (Spizella arborea ) at a feeder maintained by Liz and Holland Fitts on 30 Dec and made periodic appearances until 1 Jan The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 15 2010, just long enough for a few more local birders to see it. Nelson’s Sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni ) 2009-67-A One, Southlands Horse Farm, Rhinebeck, Dutchess, 17 Oct (Peter Schoenberger; pb P. Schoenberger) This sparrow was discovered in cattails and grasses along a drainage ditch. Features evident in the excellent photographs indicated the subspecies alterus, which nests around Hudson Bay, rather than the nominate and brighter nelsoni that nests in prairie grasslands of the northern Great Plains (Greenlaw and Woolfenden 2007). Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) 2009-81-A/C One, adult female, at a feeder on Colby Rd, Spencerport, Monroe, 10 Dec (Dominic F. Sherony, Gerald S. Lazarczyk, Christopher L. Wood; ph D. Sherony, C. Wood) Although a regular spring migrant downstate, upstate reports are decidedly fewer and thus the reason for the inclusion of this species on the review list for upstate only. Summer Tanager is much rarer in fall, with this sighting constituting only the third upstate fall record to be accepted by NYSARC. The Spencerport tanager appeared at the home of Fran and David Colby. Fran Colby stated to Dominic Sherony that the bird had been present for three weeks prior to his 10 Dec sighting, putting the arrival around 19 Nov. It was reported at least until 30 Dec (Dave Tetlow, pers. comm, to Chris Wood). A photograph by Dominic Sherony was published in The Kingbird 60(2): 138. Western Tanager (.Piranga ludoviciana ) 2009-56-A One male, Broadway, Rockville Centre, Nassau, 6 Sep (Ruth Bernstein Hyman) This male Western Tanager was studied by Ruth Hyman as it perched in a deciduous tree beside a small artificial pond with running water. The observer had noticed its unfamiliar call before seeing the bird. The description noted the red head, bright yellow plumage and black wings replete with two wing bars. Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) 2009-32-A One, Lincoln Circle, east side of Goodyear Lake, Town of Milford, Otsego, 1-2 May (Linda Pearce) This bird was seen at Linda Pearce’s bird feeder over a two-day period. The details provided are consistent with an adult female Blue Grosbeak. Yellow-headed Blackbird (.Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) 2009-2-A One, first winter male, Old French Road, Honeoye Falls, Monroe, 20-29 Jan (Brad Carlson) Brad Carlson spotted this young male Yellow-headed Blackbird at his platform feeder in the company of Brown-headed Cowbirds ( Molothrus ater ) and European Starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris). Many observers were able to see the bird over its nine-day stay, and an excellent photo accompanied the report. 16 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus ) 2009-84-A One, farm on Bums Road near Oak Orchard WMA, Town of Shelby, Orleans, 27 Dec (Kurt A. Fox) Kurt Fox carefully observed this blackbird for 10 minutes, noting several aspects of plumage and structure that indicated Brewer’s Blackbird rather than the very similar Rusty Blackbird (E, carolinus). Bullock's Oriole (Icterus bullockii ) 2009-8-A/C One male, Fairview Drive. Copake, Columbia, 16, 18 Jan (Hope Batcheller, Richard Guthrie, William J. Raup; ph H. Batcheller, R. Guthrie, W. Raup) This splendid male Bullock’s Oriole visited private feeders over a two week period and was enjoyed by many visiting birders. It was first spotted by local homeowner Barbara Carr on 11 Jan and last reported on 28 Jan. A number of excellent photographs accompanied these reports. 2009 Reports Accepted But Origins Unknown or Unnatural Barnacle Goose (Braiita leucopsis) 2009-60-A One, Olcott piers, Olcott, Niagara, 24 Sep (William W. Watson) This would be an odd time of year for a vagrant Barnacle Goose, and this concern and the presence of a leg band rightly led the observer to question the bird’s origin. The follow-up detail clearly indicates that this bird had escaped from the Gooseneck Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, a private aviary in Delevan, New York, about 60 miles south of Olcott. This report highlights the need to look for evidence of captivity in potentially escaped waterfowl. Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) 2009-1-A Twenty-six, Cayuga Lake Outlet, Cayuga, 16 Jan (Dominic F. Sherony) 2009-13-A/B Two, Upper Lake, Yaphank, Suffolk, (Shaibal S. Mitra, Steve Walter; ph S. Mitra. S. Walter) 2009-18-A One, Conesus Lake Inlet, Livingston, 16 Feb-3 Mar (David Prill) 2009-20-A One, found dead. Dale Beaver's farm, Town of Conewango, Cattaraugus, 10 Feb (Patrick Morton, Jim Berry; ph J. Berry) 2009-83-A One, Oak Orchard River, Waterport, Orleans, 17 Dec (William W. Watson) Trumpeter Swan numbers in New York State continue to grow, and these reports include a notable congregation of twenty-six unmarked birds at the outlet of Cayuga Lake. The Conesus Lake bird sported a wing tag (# 127), establishing it as a mature female banded on 14 Mar 2007 at LaSalle Park, Hamilton, Ontario. Likewise, the Conewango specimen had a similar tag (# 075), establishing it as a female wild-hatched and banded at Wye Marsh, Ontario on 2 Nov 2006. NYSARC is taking a conservative approach to accepting records of birds from introduction programs in Ontario and the Midwestern United States. Introductions of this long-lived species in Ontario continued until as recently as 2006, and wintering populations have been partially sustained by feeding programs. The Committee has previously outlined its criteria for including introduced species on the Checklist (see NYSARC 2007). NYSARC will The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 17 continue to monitor the status of the species in New York and surrounding areas to evaluate the long-term viability of the populations. As such, the Committee still requests reports of this species, although only reports of large aggregations need be submitted from the core breeding areas in the vicinity of Montezuma NWR and Perch River WMA. Any tagged swans, no matter where they are seen, should be submitted, as it is possible to determine the origins of these birds. The Yaphank birds were found by Anthony Graves and represent one of very few sightings from Long Island. The bird on the Oak Orchard River was a juvenile. Chukar (Alectoris chukar) 2009-24-A One, Abbey Lane, Levittown, Nassau. 16-24 Mar (Sue Brackbauer; ph S. Bruckbauer) This colorful partridge visited a suburban yard looking for handouts. A native of eastern Europe and central Asia, Chukars have been successfully introduced into arid regions of western North America. There are no established populations in the northeast and long-distance vagrancy is unlikely. However, the species is very popular with hunting clubs. Oddly, individuals are sighted with increasing frequency in urban and suburban settings; the assumption is that these are escapes from breeders. Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola ) 2009-59-A One, Croton River, Westchester, 21 Sep (Brien Hindman; ph. B. Hindman) This bright yellow finch-like bird was watched and photographed as it fed amongst a flock of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus). The greenish wash on the wings, flanks and tail combined with the orange spot on the forecrown are indicative of this South American species, which is actually now considered a tanager and not a true finch. Males are notoriously aggressive towards each other, and unfortunately some are kept as “fighting birds,” which of course is illegal. In July 2009 police in nearby Shelton, Connecticut, seized 150 birds, predominantly this species, and charged 19 people with a combination of animal cruelty and illegal gambling. 2008 Report Accepted Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis ) 2008-87-C One, Pinelawn Memorial Park, Pinelawn, Suffolk, 2 Feb (Douglas L. Kurz) This is an additional report of a Barnacle Goose that was sighted on a number of occasions in Pinelawn Memorial Park, and at nearby St. Charles Cemetery and Belmont Lake SP, on Long Island, between 29 Nov 2008 and 15 Feb 2009. 2004 Report Accepted Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor ) 2004-90-A One, North Spring Pond, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, Seneca, 8 May (Joseph Brin; ph. J. Brin) Submitted six years after the fact, this southern wader was nicely photographed, 18 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) which cinched the acceptance. Remarkably, the Tricolored Heron was accompanied by a Snowy Egret ( E. thula), a species only slightly less rare so far inland. Joe Brin’s photo shows both species side by side. This record fits the pattern for this species, with most non-coastal sightings in the spring and early summer, attributed to spring overshoots and post-breeding wanderers. 1970 Report Accepted Dovekie (Alle alle) 1970-2-A One, Shinnecock Bay, Suffolk, 3 Nov 1970 (Paul H. Gillen, Jr.) This Dovekie was observed by Paul Gillen and his son whilst they were out fishing on the bay. Its drooped wings and absence of a flight response suggested it might be sick, so they attempted to catch it with a boat net, but the bird managed to evade their efforts. They then observed the Dovekie swimming away under water. 2009 Reports Not Accepted Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificats ) 2009-44- A One, Mott Road, Gansevoort, Saratoga. 31 May This report briefly discussed a sighting of a large black bird but failed to provide enough detail to solidly document an extremely rare inland report of Magnificent Frigatebird. Though frigatebirds are the sort of bird that can show up nearly anytime, anywhere as vagrants, a certain level of description is still required to support the identification. There was not enough of a description here to accept this record even to Fregata sp., which is a conservative position often taken by bird records committees given the scattered records of truly vagrant species such as Great (F. minor ) and Lesser (F. ariel) Frigatebirds in North America. Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) 2009-58- A One, East River parallel to E 79th Street, Manhattan, New York, 18 Oct This waterbird was studied as it fished in the East River, an extension of Long Island Sound. The sleek head and neck profile, otherwise submerged body and absence of a visible hook on the bill suggested an Anhinga; however, the Committee felt that a Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) could not be excluded. The latter species often swims with only the head and neck above the surface and the plumage held flat, giving a very slim appearance. Moreover, the marine habitat and absence of vegetation seemed atypical habitat for an Anhinga, an extremely rare visitor to the Northeast. ‘Great White Heron’ (Ardea herodias occidentalis) 2009-55-A One, retention pond alongside Rt. 390 N, Greece, Monroe, 1 Sep The description of this individual was insufficient to confirm the white- plumaged subspecies of Great Blue Heron, which is extremely rare in New York. ‘Great White Heron’ does have a pattern of vagrancy away from its The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 19 limited distribution in southern Florida and the Caribbean (Mitra and Fritz 2002), and identification is fairly straightforward given a reasonable view of overall size and bare parts coloration. This description lacked an adequate discussion of pertinent field characters. Additionally, a Great Egret (A. alba ) was known to be present at the exact site mentioned on the same date, and Committee members felt that this was likely the species in question. Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis ) 2009-50-A north of Post Road, Larchmont, Westchester, 30 Aug This report was one of a few raptor descriptions that were simply too brief or vague to adequately support the identification or occurrence of the bird in question. Though Mississippi Kite is expanding into New York State, as evidenced by successful breeding in 2010, this naked-eye report did not contain enough solid detail to convince the Committee of the identification. In these sorts of cases, with distant flying birds seen in circumstances without a camera handy, field sketching is HIGHLY recommended by the Committee. Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swaitisoni) 2009-29-A One, Derby Hill Bird Observatory, Mexico, Oswego, 6 May Though very possibly correct, the identification of this bird seen migrating past a spring hawk watch relied almost exclusively on difficult to document features of flight style and shape. Due to the circumstances of the observation, almost no details of the plumage were described. Since the sighting is from a long-running hawk watch and with several experienced observers present, it seems likely that this report did in fact represent a Swainson's Hawk, but one that couldn’t be described in enough detail to warrant acceptance. NYSARC is keenly aware of the difficulty of documenting sight records from hawk watches and similar situations such as ocean and lake watches, but feels that it is important to maintain a high threshold of documentation for acceptance even under these difficult circumstances. A suggestion that all regular hawk watches have a camera handy to document unusual sightings seemed an appropriate solution to the Committee. Even poor photographs, or in the absence of a camera, field sketches, can often convey enough information in conjunction with a written description to support a sighting. Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis ) 2009-87-A/B One, Lake Erie shore, W Lake Road, Dunkirk. Chautauqua. 3-5 Sep A potential first New York State record, the Committee felt this sight-only report contained too little detail for acceptance. Ferruginous Hawk is occasionally reported in eastern North America but is rarely documented. From the descriptions provided, the Committee felt that it was likely that another more common species, perhaps Red-tailed Hawk {B. jamaicensis), was involved. Apparently there were good opportunities to photograph this bird, but unfortunately no pictures were taken. 20 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica ) 2009-26-A One, Elm Street, Batavia, Genesee, 3 May This report dealt with a fairly recognizable species reported with somewhat incomplete details. The Committee struggled to decide if the report adequately described a White-winged Dove, and although certain features seemed to fit this species well, others were missing or conveyed only vaguely. It is always important, when writing a description of a bird that is suspected or known to be a rarity, to be sure to include the basics—overall color, size, shape, and the color and appearance of all potentially relevant body parts and feather tracts. Because of some missing and unclear elements, the Committee felt the overall report was insufficient for acceptance. Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) 2009-57-A One, West 49th St between 8th & 9th Aves, Manhattan, New York, 16 Sep This report of a hummingbird briefly visiting some flower boxes at a fourth floor New York City apartment unfortunately did not provide enough of a description for the Committee to even determine that this was anything other than the expected Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris ). A vagrant hummingbird in New York requires a high level of detail to confirm its specific identity, generally necessitating a very thorough study and/or a series of good photographs for evaluation. Eastern x Western Meadowlark hybrid (Sturnella magna x neglecta) 2009-30- A One, Derby Hill Bird Observatory, Mexico, Oswego, 24 Apr A group of observers studied this meadowlark for five minutes as it perched in a tree on the edge of a grassy field near the hawk watch. The Committee felt that none of the perceived differences were beyond the range of variation in Eastern Meadowlark ( S . magna) and that views of the tail especially would be vital to declare this a hybrid with any confidence. CONTRIBUTORS The Committee gratefully acknowledges the following contributors who provided written descriptions and/or photographs: Richard Aracil, Seth Ausubel, Rudy Badia, Victoria Barlow, Hope Batcheller, Carolyn Belknap, Gail Benson, Jim Berry, Brenda Best, Shane Blodgett, Brent E. Bomkamp, Joseph Brin, Sue Bruckbauer, Thomas W. Burke, Brad Carlson, Betsy Carswell, Sylvia M, Clarke, John L. Confer, William E. Cook, Willie D'Anna, Mark DeDea, Jim Dugan, Peter Eliot, John Falxa, Larry Federman, Corey Finger, Thomas Fiore, Howard Fischer, Robert Fisk, Elizabeth Fitts, Brendan Fogarty, Kurt A. Fox, Valerie Freer, Karen Fung, Paul H. Gillen, Jr., Joseph Giunta, John Gluth, Doug Gochfeld, David Gordon, Richard Guthrie, Kyla Haber, Larry F. Hall, Elliotte Harold. Alexander Heaton, Brien Hindman, Ruth Bernstein Hyman, Thomas Brodie Johnson, Maha Katnani, William E. Krueger, Jay D. Kuhlman, Douglas L. Kurz, Dayna Lalonde, Gerald S. Lazarczyk, Heydi Lopes. Patricia Martin. Curt McDermott, Kenneth M. McDermott, Kevin McGann, Frances H. McNulty, Joe Mitchell, Shaibal S. Mitra, Patrick Morton, Jeff Novick, James Pawlicki, Linda Pearce, Mark A. Pearce, Danielle Pieratti, Betsy Potter, David Prill, Barbara Putnam, Douglas L. Racine, Danika M. Raup, William J. Raup, Michael Restuccia, Stephanie Restuccia, Dana C. Rohleder, David The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 21 Salmon, Martin Sanden, Seymour Schiff, Peter Schoenberger, Eileen Schwinn, Mickey Scilingo, John Shemilt, Dominic F. Sherony, Christy Snow, Charles C. Spagnoli, Lloyd Spitalnik, Kimberly Sucy, Richard Veit, Chester Vincent, Steve Walter, William W. Watson, Carol A. Weiss, Alan W. Wells, Angus Wilson, Seth Wollney, Christopher L. Wood, and Kyle Wright. Submitted on behalf of the New York State Avian Records Committee: Angus Wilson (Chair), Jeanne Skelly (Secretary), Willie D’Anna, Jeffrey S. Bolsinger, Thomas W. Burke, Andrew Guthrie, Thomas Brodie Johnson and Dominic F. Sherony. LITERATURE CITED Badia, R., R. Aracil and H. Lopes 2010. A Flycatcher’s Tale: Three Birders, Two Stops on the A-Train, and One Special Bird. The Kingbird 60(1): 22- 24. Bevier, L. R., Alan F. Poole and William Moskoff. 2005. Veery ( Catharus fuscescens ), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/142. Bull, J. 1974. Birds of New York. Doubleday/Natural History Press. Garden City. New York, pp. 55-56. Butler, R. G. and D. E. Buckley 2002. Black Guillemot ( Cepphus grylle), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http: //bna. birds. cornel 1. edu/bna/specie s/675. Greenlaw, J. S. and G. E. Woolfenden 2007. Wintering distributions and migration of Saltmarsh and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 119(3): 361-377. Guthrie, R. 2010. A Swainson’s Hawk in Greene County. The Kingbird 60(1): 24-25. Mitra, S.S. and J. Fritz. 2002. Two Great White Herons in New York, September-November 2001, The Kingbird 52(1); 27-34. NYSARC 2007. Guidelines for the Admission of Exotic Species to the New York State Checklist. The Kingbird 57(1): 9-11. Remsen, Jr., J. V. 2001. True winter range of the Veery (Catharus fuscescens): lessons for determining winter ranges of species that winter in the tropics. Auk 118:838-848. Ridgway, R. 1919. The Birds of North and Middle America, Pt. 8. Bull. U.S. National Museum, no. 50. Watson, W. W. 2009. The Month: October. The Prothonotary 75(11): 98. 22 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) AMERICAN KESTREL NEST BOX MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN NORTHERN NEW YORK STATE Mark Manske 61 Davidson Road, Dickinson Center, NY 12930 adirondackraptors@westelcom.com Abstract—An American Kestrel nest box study was started in 2002 in northern New York State. The puipose of the study was to increase this species’ local breeding population in the area, to educate the public on the importance of raptors and this species’ plight in the region, and to act as an environmental monitor. The project was linked with a college accredited biology course at Brasher Falls Central High School in Brasher Falls, New York, and with the Raptors of the Adirondacks course at Paul Smiths College in Paul Smiths, New York. Approximately 130 nest boxes were maintained each season across 292 square miles in northern St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties. Chicks and adults were hand grabbed from the boxes or captured with bal chatris and were banded, aged, sexed, and their health was assessed. During the eight year study, the breeding population of kestrels increased from 51 to 297 kestrels on the study area. It appears that lack of availability of suitable nesting cavities has been a major limiting factor for our breeding population. American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) is the smallest falcon in North America and a widespread breeder throughout New York (Spahn 1998). The kestrel is a cavity nester that breeds primarily in open country, especially in agricultural districts-, along roadsides, and wherever there are fields, meadows or even swampy areas with dead trees (Smallwood and Bird 2002). In recent years its populations have declined in the Northeastern United States (Katzner et al. 2005). Nye (2008) noted in the second Breeding Bird Atlas of New York State that the breeding kestrel population in New York State has declined since the first Breeding Bird Atlas 20 years earlier. Lack of suitable habitat and a dearth of nesting cavities have contributed to the species’ decline (Askins et al, 2007), and Bildstein (pers. comm.) has suggested that increasing Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) populations in the Northeast may have negative impacts on kestrel populations. Kestrels require open habitat with a wide variety of perches to hunt from (Smallwood and Bird 2002) coupled with cavities for nesting. Balgooyen (1976) stated that the availability of suitable nesting cavities could limit its population in many parts of its range. Nest boxes have been used to increase kestrel populations in the United States since the 1950s (Kratzner et al. 2005, Steenhof and Peterson 2009, Bloom and Hawks 1983, Hamerstrom et al. 1973 and Griggio et al. 2002). In 1995, very few nesting kestrels were observed in northern St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties in New York State. One pair of kestrels was observed nesting in a The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 23 fence post cavity about four feet off the ground, with the chicks stacked tightly on top of each other (pers. obs.). Hamerstrom et al. (1973) determined that the lack of cavities was a major limiting factor to her breeding birds in central Wisconsin and it appears that the lack of cavities is limiting the size of our local breeding kestrel population. The goals of the study were to increase the kestrel population on the study area by placing and maintaining at least 130 nest boxes annually, use the project as a long term environmental monitor, and educate those who worked on the project in ecology and conservation. Because working with these tiny falcons provided a great environmental educational opportunity, I linked the project with my biology classes at Brasher Falls Central High School in Brasher Falls, New York and Paul Smiths College in Paul Smiths, New York. FIELD SITE AND METHODS Field Site The study area is located in northern New York in northern St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties and encompasses 186,814 acres (292 square miles) (Fig. 1). The area falls mainly within the St. Lawrence River Transition Zone with a small percentage falling within the St. Lawrence River Plains and the Malone Plain (Andrle and Carroll 1988). The area is composed of 45,956 acres (25.7%) of open lands, including pastures, fallow fields, and croplands; 102,098 acres (54.6%) of forest; 26,882 acres (14.3%) of wetlands; 498 acres (0.2%) of successional lands; 7,933 acres (4.3%) of open water; 1339 acres of roads; and 107 acres of urban lands. These percentages were determined using GIS and aerial photographs taken in 2000. Nest Boxes and Placement In 2002, 112 nest boxes were built in class by students and installed throughout the study area on utility poles, trees (both live and dead), and old buildings or barns. Several more boxes were added through the years, and as of the 2009 breeding season, the number had risen to 144 nest boxes and one artificial cavity in an old barn. During the study, 107 students helped build boxes and position nest boxes on the study area. Since the 2007 breeding season, 130 of the 144 nest boxes (90%) were mounted on utility poles. All nest boxes were placed on private lands and landowner permission was obtained before placement. Generally the nest boxes were oriented to face in a southeastern direction and were between 12 and 14 feet above the ground. Nest boxes are positioned at varying distances from each other with the closest boxes positioned 0.2 miles from each other. The nest box style that was used has been described and used by Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (www.hawkmountain.org). Nest boxes that did not have any kestrel activity for five consecutive years were relocated to another area with more potential for usage by kestrels. We tried to place all new boxes and replace all boxes in disrepair before March 31 st of each year. Early preparation of nest boxes was done during the season so the boxes were ready for the next breeding season and not disturbed while breeding adults had returned to territories. All nest boxes were examined to determine their integrity and boxes that had fallen down or been damaged 24 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) during the winter were replaced and/or repaired. Boxes used during the previous season were cleaned out and wood chips placed in the box for nesting materials. We attempted to maintain at least 130 usable nest boxes annually. Nest Box Visits All nest boxes were visited during a 5-6 day period starting on or near 24 June. The status of each box and its contents were recorded. Upon arrival, a researcher quickly blocked the opening to the nest box with the end of an extendable fiberglass pole. Once the opening was blocked, a second researcher would position a ladder under the box and climb up to observe what was in the box. To minimize mammalian predation, no scent trails led directly to the base of the poles (Griggio et al. 2002). All chicks 10 days old or older and all parents caught in the box were banded. Each bird was also sexed (Pyle 2008) and their health was assessed by searching for injuries, feeling for muscle and fat mass around the keel, and feather condition. If any parasites were found on the birds, they were sprayed with Scalex Mite and Lice Spray for birds. Adult birds were also sexed by examining the color of the wings (Pyle 2008). All birds were returned to boxes before we left. Adults with very young chicks or eggs Figure 1. American Kestrel Study Area. This region has a temperate climate with an average maximum temperature and precipitation during the breeding season (May through August) of 24.2° C and 64.8 mm, respectively. The area extends north to the Mohawk Territory at Akwesasne and south to the Adirondack State Park (Fig. 2). The village of Potsdam is on the southwestern corner and the villages of Winthrop and Brasher Falls are in the center of the area. The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 25 were not allowed to leave for several minutes after being banded by blocking the hole for a period of time, to discourage them from deserting their nests. If eggs or chicks younger than 10 days old were found, the boxes were revisited when the chicks were expected to be large enough to band. To minimize disruptions, the nest boxes were visited only enough times to ensure that all chicks within the box were banded. Figure 2. Kestrel Study Area with Adjacent Villages and Main Roads. Land use in the study area has changed dramatically over the last 50 years. According to the US Census of Agriculture Department the number of farms in Franklin County decreased 53% from 1293 farms encompassing 244,054 acres in 1959 to 605 farms encompassing 131,300 acres in 2007. During the same period the farms in St. Lawrence County decreased 61% from 3426 farms encompassing 718,418 acres to 1335 farms encompassing 348,500 acres. Acreage farmed in both counties decreased 50% from 1959 to 2007 (USDA 2010). These changes in land use likely reduced the open foraging habitat required by American Kestrels and may have also reduced available nesting sites. Trapping Adults and Fledged Chicks We attempted to capture all adults and fledged chicks that were not hand grabbed from boxes using bal chatris baited with mice and left near the nest boxes or dropped out of a moving vehicle while passing a perched bird (Berger and Mueller 1959). Kestrels caught by this method were then associated with the nest box that they frequented. Birds that 26 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) frequented natural cavities and structures other than the boxes were also found and their locations noted. Overall Population in Study Area American Kestrels observed within the study area were counted during surveys between 24 June through 15 August and an estimate of population size was made. To be counted, the kestrels needed to be banded from an active nest or counted at least three times in the same location during the breeding season. Chicks were only included in the estimate of total kestrel numbers if they were banded or counted from an occupied nest. All roads in the study area were driven at least five times and potential nest sites were investigated throughout the season before kestrel activity was assessed at each location. We focused on areas where kestrel activity was detected until the source of the kestrel activity was determined. By 15 August, all researchers on the project independently determined how many kestrels were on the study area, numbers were compared, and an average total value calculated and agreed upon. The total number of kestrels on the study area had to be agreed upon by all researchers before the number was accepted as that year’s total. RESULTS Nesting Attempts and Success Rates The number of nesting attempts, defined as nests with at least one egg in the nest box, increased fairly consistently from 10 attempts during 2002 to 68 attempts in 2009. These values correspond to occupancy rates of 8.9% in 2002 and 46.9% in 2009 (Fig 3). 50 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Figure 3. Percentage of nest boxes used in nesting attempts. The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 27 Of 342 nesting attempts observed throughout the study, 181 produced chicks (52.9%). Among 161 boxes that had young when they were checked, brood size averaged 3.5 chicks per nest box. Annual values for brood size were consistently about 3.5-4.0 during seven of the eight years, but during 2006 there were only 2.4 chicks per nest (Fig. 4). These numbers are consistent with those found in other studies: Balgooyen (1976) found the mean brood size from 42 natural sites in California was 3.6 and Bloom and Hawks (1983) found the mean of 65 nest boxes in California was 4.0. The lower value in 2006 was probably due to excessive heat during the incubation period that year, as daily high temperatures averaged 90° F during May 2006, and several clutches of eggs were found to be addled that season. In 20 other nests, brood size was not determined because chicks fledged before we checked the boxes. 2002 2004 2006 2008 Figure 4. Average Brood Size per Successful Nest. The percentage of nesting attempts that fledged at least one chick varied from 36% in 2003 to 61% in 2007 and averaged 50.6% (173 out of 342) over the eight years of the study (Table 1). Actual numbers of chicks fledging each season are unknown because nests in which chicks were banded were rarely revisited until after the chicks would have fledged. 28 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) Table 1. Summary of nesting success. 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Avg Nest Boxes 112 126 130 130 130 130 130 145* 129.1 Attempts 10 33 42 46 45 44 54 68 43.5 # Successful 4 12 17 26 18 27 32 37 22.5 % Successful 40 36 40 56 40 61 57 54 50.6 # Failed 6 21 25 20 27 16 22 31 21.0 % Failed 60 64 60 44 60 39 43 46 49.3 * One nesting attempt occurred in a barn structure and is counted as a nest box. Nesting success was affected by raccoon (Procyon lotor) predation on three nests, by extreme heat during incubation during the 2006 season, and by wet cooler weather during the 2009 season. One nest box lost a chick to cat (Felis catus ) predation and metal flashing was attached to the pole to stop any additional losses from mammalian predation. Metal flashing spray painted to blend in and dull the shine has been attached to certain poles to discourage predation. Dead mice were left at nests where the parents and chicks were under nourished. Two pairs of orphaned chicks were fostered out to other nests with chicks of comparable age and size. The first pair of orphans was brought to us in 2008 by a New York State licensed wildlife rehabilitator. The second pair came from a nest box on the study area and were fostered out to a new family when both parents were discovered drowned in a horse trough. A third brood, consisting of four chicks, was found in very poor condition during the 2009 season. One chick was dead and partially eaten and the other three were extremely emaciated and dehydrated. The surviving chicks were taken to a local wildlife rehabilitator. During the night, two of the remaining chicks died. The surviving chick become imprinted on humans, was not able to be released, and is now a falconry bird. It is unknown how many failures are caused by human activity, but one nest failed in 2009 when the nest box containing eggs was shot with a shotgun. The status of the adults was unknown. Disruption of adults on eggs undoubtedly has caused some desertions. To minimize nest desertions caused by our research activities, we attempted to visit nests only after eggs had hatched. Other Uses of Nest Boxes by Wildlife Kestrels used nest boxes not only as nest sites, but also as roosting sites and feeding and hunting platforms. If pellets or feathers were found at a nest box, or if kestrels were seen in or on the boxes, the box was considered used by kestrels. Other wildlife also used the nest boxes during the breeding season, and the presence of any species of wildlife inside the boxes during visits was recorded. Kestrel use peaked during the 2009 season when 68 of 145 boxes (46.9%) were used (one nest was in a barn structure but was counted as a nest box). Overall use of boxes by American Kestrels and other wildlife was lowest during the initial season, when 29 of 112 boxes were utilized (25.9%), and highest during the 2008 season, when 94 of 130 boxes (72.3%) were utilized. Other species that were found in nest boxes included Wood Duck (Aix sponsa ), The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 29 Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus ), Great Crested Flycatcher ( Myiarchiis crinitus), Tree Swallow ( Tachycineta bicolor ), European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Common Grackle ( Quiscalus quiscula ), House Sparrow {Passer domesticus ), an unidentified bird’s nest, White-footed Mouse ( Peromyscus leucopus). Red Squirrel (Tamiascurus hudsonicus), Gray Squirrel ( Sciurus Caroline sis), as well as ants (Camponotus spp .), and bees ( Bombus spp.). Kestrel Numbers The number of chicks banded annually has risen drastically during the first eight years of the study. During the initial season, only 15 chicks were banded, whereas by 2009, 145 chicks were banded (Table 2). There have been relatively few natural nests found throughout the years. In 2009, there were 37 successful kestrel nests in natural cavities and buildings and 66 young produced from these nests. Two pairs of kestrels were found to have nested in the same barn at the same time during the 2009 season. One pair used a cavity on the north side of the barn and hunted lands north of the barn and the other used a cavity on the south side of the barn and hunted lands south of the bam. A total of 1372 total kestrels were judged to be present on the study area over eight years. These consisted of 564 banded chicks and 808 adults, of which 91 (11.3%) were banded. Of the 564 chicks banded from the nest boxes, 256 (45.4%) were males and 308 (54.6%) females. Table 2. Chicks and Adults Banded and Total Kestrels Present on the Study Area. 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Avg Chicks banded 15 49 55 76 29 86 109 145 56.4 Total banded 17 52 56 79 31 90 151 179 81.9 Total present 51 108 156 200 131 186 243 297 171.5 DISCUSSION Through the first eight years of this study, the number of kestrels on the study area has risen to almost 600% of the initial level. Suitable nesting cavities appear to be a major limiting factor of the American Kestrel on the study area. Predation and over-heating remain as obstacles to nesting success in the boxes and need to be addressed. The addition of flashing near the base of each pole and a thicker entrance hole may eliminate some losses due to both mammalian and avian predators. The addition of side vents may also mitigate the effects of excessive heat. The nest boxes have also been effectively used by other species of wildlife throughout the nesting season, and we regard this as a strength of the program. Prey abundance and availability should be monitored to determine if this factor influences clutch size or fledging success. During the past season, two adult kestrels returned to breed in the same nest boxes where they had fledged chicks the previous year, and a chick fledged last 30 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) year returned to breed successfully in a box eight miles northwest of its natal box and which previously had been used just once before (a failed attempt seven years earlier). Steenhof and Peterson (2009) states that returning breeders tend to return only if successful the previous year. Both returning kestrels had been successful the previous year and were again successful after returning. A box used by one of these returning adults was the most successful box on the study and had seven nesting attempts during the eight years (87.5%). Five of the seven attempts were successful and 13 banded chicks and an unknown number of fledged chicks were produced. The other returning adult nested in a box that was less than 0.5 miles from the other repeat breeder. This box was used in a total of three nesting attempts over eight years (37.5%) and produced nine chicks in the past two years. The availability of these nest boxes may have been a major contributing variable that brought these birds back to breed. It is obvious from this study that nest boxes can and do contribute to the growth and maintenance of American Kestrel populations in this region. Another benefit of this program involves the sense of ownership of the kestrel breeding population that has developed in the 107 students that have worked on the project. The level of commitment to the study displayed by the students has varied from just assisting in the building of the nest boxes during class to devoting an entire summer on the project. All students, regardless of level of commitment, have become more aware and protective of the American Kestrel throughout the region. Several students have been employed in other raptor research projects due to the interest and experience they developed while participating on the kestrel study. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to thank the many students who worked on this project through the years. In addition, I am extremely grateful to J. M. C. Peterson, whose banding permit I worked under for the first six years of the study. I also wish to thank Dr. Glenn Johnson, Dr. Lee Harper, Christine Compo-Martin, and Karin Kozie for their assistance in editing my reports throughout the study and Jonas Borkholder for his work on the GIS and maps. Finally, this paper is in the memory of the late great Drs. Frederick and Francis Hamerstrom who taught me so much about raptors. LITERATURE CITED Andrle, R. F. and J. R. Carroll. (Eds.) 1988. Appendix A: The Ecozones of New York State. Pp. 503-508. In The Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State. Cornell University Press. Ithaca, NY. 551pp. Askins, R.A., F. Chavez-Ramirez, B. C. Dale, C. A. Haas, J. R. Herkert, F. L. Knopf, and P. D. Vickery. 2007. Conservation of grassland birds in North America: Understanding ecological processes in different regions. Report of the AOU Committee on Conservation. Ornithol. Monographs, no. 64 American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, DC. The Kingbird 2011 March; 61(1) 31 Balgooyen, T. G. 1976. Behavior and ecology of the American kestrel (Falco sparverius ) in the Sierra Nevada in California. Univ. of Calif. Publ. in Zool. 103: 1-83. Berger, D. and H. Mueller. 1959. The bal chatri: A trap for the birds of prey. Bird Banding 30: 18-26. Bloom, P. H. and S. J. Hawks. 1983. Nest box use and reproductive biology of the American kestrel in Lassen County, California. J. Raptor Res. 17: 9-14. Griggio, M., F. Hamerstrom. R. N. Rosenfield, and G. Tavecchia. 2002. Seasonal variation in the sex ratio of fledgling American kestrels: a long term study. Wilson Bull. 114:474-478. Hamerstrom, F., F. N. Hamerstrom and J. Hart. 1973. Nest boxes: an effective management tool for kestrels. J. Wildl. Manage. 37:400-403. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. 2009. http://www.hawkmountain.org. Accessed 24 Dec 2009. Katzner, T., S. Robertson, B. Robertson, J. Klucsartis, K. McCarthy, and K. L. Bildstein. 2005. Results from a long-term nest-box program for American Kestrels: implications for improved population monitoring and conservation. J. Field Ornithol. 76: 217-226 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2000. Lawrenceville, NY current data: 1950-1999. Available online at http://www.worldclimate.com/cgi-bin/data.pl?ref=N44W074+2200+304647C. Accessed 24 Dec 2009. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2000. Lawrenceville, NY current data: 1950-1999. Available online at http://www.worldclimate.com/cgi-bin/data.pr?ref=N44W074+1200+1304647G2. Accessed 24 Dec 2009. Nye, P. 2008. American Kestrel. Pp. 206-207 In McGowan, K. and K. Corwin. (Eds.). The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State. Cornell University Press. Ithaca, NY. 688pp. Pyle, P. 2008. American Kestrel in Identification Guide to North American Birds. Part II, Pp. 460-462. Slate Creek Press. Point Reyes Station, CA. 835 pp. Smith, G. A. 1998. American Kestrel. Pp. 118-119. In Andrle, R. F. and J. R. Carroll. (Eds.). The Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State. Cornell University Press. Ithaca, NY. 551 pp. Smallwood, J. A. and D. M. Bird. 2002. American Kestrel (Falco sparverius). In The Buds of North America, No. 602 . A. Poole and F. Gill. ( Eds.) The Birds of North America, Inc. Philadelphia. PA. 29pp. Spahn, R. G. 1998. American Kestrel. Pp. 200-201. In Levine, E., B. B. Lincoln and S. R. Lincoln. (Eds.) Bull’s Birds of New York State. Comstock Publishing Associates. Ithaca, NY. 622pp. Steenhof, K. and B. E. Peterson. 2009. Site fidelity, mate fidelity, and breeding dispersal in American Kestrels. The Wilson Journal of Ornithol. 121: 12-21. United States Department of Agriculture: www.nass.usda.gov/statistics_by_state/New_York/county_Profiles/. Accessed 24 Dec 2009. 32 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS A CAVE SWALLOW EVENT ALONG NEW YORK’S LAKE ONTARIO SHORE The morning of 23 November 2010 dawned a balmy 50° F with a forecasted high of 60-65° F at Hamlin Beach State Park, Monroe County, New York. It was partly cloudy with a SE wind at 5-7 m.p.h. By 9:15 the wind had switched to SSW at 10-20 m.p.h. in front of a fairly strong cold front. It was the classic set-up, a low pressure system riding a strong jetstream flow out of the northern Mexico/Southwestern U.S. area. In past years, weather like this had preceded incursions of Cave Swallows along the Lake Ontario shore (Spahn & Tetlow, 2006, Kingbird 56: 216-225)—but always from late October through mid- November, never this late. The question was would Cave Swallows come this late into the fall? The answer came at 9:30 when five Cave Swallows passed Hamlin Beach heading west. Over the next hour and 42 minutes a total of 46 birds was counted, all heading west. At approximately 11:20 the front passed, switching the wind to the NW at 15-25 m.p.h. and dropping the temperature 10° F in about one minute. After about 30 more minutes of watching, it appeared that the flight was over as no birds were observed. At that point I decided to go west along the lakeshore to see if any birds may have stopped anywhere to feed. Travelling west along the Lake Ontario State Parkway, a flock of 11 birds was encountered heading west on a line about 0.5 miles inland from the Lake Ontario shore. The birds at Hamlin Beach had all been on a line anywhere from 100 feet out over the water to about 300 yards from the shore. So as we have seen in the past, wind direction and speed definitely influence what line these birds take when moving. Going as far west as Oak Orchard River, which is approximately 15 miles west of Hamlin Beach, only one bird was encountered flying west past the river. Checking for feeding birds in the gorge proved fruitless. A decision was made to go back east and pick a vantage point 0.5 miles from the shore and see if any birds were still moving on this line. This proved to be the right choice. Between 12:15 and 2:36 a total of 111 birds was seen heading west. These would be the last westbound birds seen on this day. At 2:54, 16 birds were seen and heard moving east in a tight, swirling ball. This configuration was contrary to the typical one, a line of birds all streaming in one direction. Nine minutes later a ball of 14 was seen and heard moving east. It was assumed at this point that the birds were done moving for the day and were now looking for a place to roost. The vocalizing was undoubtedly the birds communicating this to each other. About 10 minutes later, 25+ birds appeared swirling and calling. This time they paused and checked out the parkway bridge where all of the afternoon observations had taken place. These birds moved on after a few minutes and were never found to have used this particular bridge to roost under. The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 33 Again a decision was made to move on and check other bridges for roosting Cave Swallows. Six bridges were checked and birds were found under all but one. On these bridges a total of over 110 birds were encountered. Unfortunately, darkness did not allow for a thorough check of all parkway bridges that evening. That night a morning roost departure survey was organized, with individuals stationed at as many bridges as possible. Eleven bridges, spanning approximately 80 miles along the lakeshore, were observed from before first light through sun-up. Only five bridges had birds on them that morning, with a total of only 39 birds counted. Several of the bridges that had the most birds on them at dusk the evening before had none the next morning! Where did these birds go? What time did they leave the bridges? Unfortunately we cannot answer these questions. There was a nearly full moon with scattered clouds that night that produced extremely bright nighttime conditions. Speculation is that these birds left after getting some rest because it was certainly bright enough for them to see. This raises yet another question. Were the birds that left that night in better shape and less stressed than the ones that stayed, or the other way around? After more than a decade of these late fall movements of Cave Swallows, there are still probably more questions than answers surrounding these birds. On 25 November, residual birds were found at three locations. One of these was a water treatment facility where 16 birds were present. These birds gradually succumbed to the weather, with three birds surviving until 5 December. These birds were viewed at close range for long periods of time allowing for excellent study. All birds displayed obvious retained juvenile flight feathers, coverts, and scapulars contrasting with fresh feathers, presumably indicating hatch-year birds. Wc hope to learn more in the near future to help answer all of our questions regarding these rather remarkable avian events. Thanks to Doug Daniels, Kurt Fox, Kim Hartquist, Jerry Lazarczyk, Celeste Morien, Dominic Sherony, Jeanne Skelly, and Kim Sucy for helping on the bridge surveys. Thanks to Andy Guthrie for reviewing a draft of this article. Dave Tetlow, Hilton, Monroe County, dktetlow@rochester.rr.com A VERY OLD BIRD Riverfront Park on the Hudson River in Coeymans Landing, southern Albany County, New York is a reliable spot to look for gulls and other visitors. I stop by there whenever I’m going through town with a few minutes to spare. It's a good place to look for Iceland or Glaucous Gulls in winter. In other seasons, I’ve come across other species, such as Franklin's Gull, Laughing Gull, Caspian Terns, Black Skimmer, and more often, Bonaparte's Gulls. What's nice about tire park is that you can sit in your car and study the birds up close and in comfort. On 29 November 2009,1 noticed one of the 25 or so Ring-billed Gulls had a band on its leg. It was taking the occasional bread handouts and didn't seem to be too shy or in any hurry to move on. So I set up my window mounted spotting scope and got to work reading the numbers on the band. As a licensed bird bander, I knew what to look for in the sequence of numbers and their placement 34 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) relative to prefix/suffix and dividing dash. When reading bird bands through my scope, I set up a diagram on a page in my notebook with blank dashes to be filled in as I read the various numbers. That way, I could get all the band numbers in their proper sequence. I submitted the band number to the Bird Banding Lab via their electronic band reporting page: www.reportband.gov. After a rather long wait, I received a note from the lab asking for more details (including a request that I send them the band itself—-well, that couldn't be done). After an exchange of e-mails, I found out why they were so concerned about the accuracy of the report. Their records show that that band number corresponded to one that was placed on a Ring-billed Gull more than 25 years ago. If the report was accurate, that would make this the oldest Ring-billed Gull on record. With the additional information I supplied (such as how I read the band and noted the numbers), they were satisfied. With that, the biologists at the Banding Lab determined that the gull was banded as a fledgling near Willsboro, Essex County, New York, by none other than our own long-time Kingbird Region 7 Editor, John "Mike" Peterson, on 10 June 1984! As you can see from the picture of this particular bird (p.52), it appears to be healthy enough for an old bird. You bet I'll be watching to see if he/she shows up again this year to keep that record going. Rich Guthrie, New Baltimore, The Greene County, gaeltic@capital.net TWO FALL FLIGHTS OF LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL ON LONG ISLAND First recorded in New York State in 1934 (Cruickshank, 1942, Birds Around New York City, American Museum of Natural History Handbook Series No. 13), Lesser Black-backed Gull remained an exceptional vagrant here until about 1954 (Bull, Birds of New York State , 1974, Cornell University Press), and was regarded as rare until the 1990s, when local observers noted its regular and increasing occurrence in numerous Kingbird Regional reports. In recent decades, occurrence has continued to increase rapidly: continent-wide CBC totals first exceeded 100 in 1991-92 but surpassed 1,000 just 13 years later. On 24 August 2009, Brendan Fogarty observed 13 individuals feeding on a clam kill along a single stretch of beach at Jones Beach SP, Nassau County (Kingbird 59: 337& 354). This observation was notable not only for the number of birds involved, but also for its late summer date, its context (following the passage of a major storm, Hurricane Bill), and for the age distribution of the birds observed (eight first-summer/second-winter, three second-summer/third- winter, and two third-summer/fourth winter (i.e., no full adults). The association on Long Island between large counts of Lesser Black-backed Gull and oceanic storms has been noted for a decade or more (e.g.. Region 10 fall reports for 2005 and 2006), but most of the prior events had occurred from mid September through October and had involved significant numbers of adult birds—and sometimes even fresh juveniles (e.g., four adult and one juvenile observed by The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 35 Patricia Lindsay and me between Riverhead and Montauk during a storm on 12 Oct 2002). A question naturally arose concerning potential differences in the timing of migration among the different age classes (juveniles, older immatures, and adults)—this question itself complicated by possible defects in the historical detection and identification of juveniles and first-summer individuals. The present note documents two discrete flights of Lesser Black-backed Gulls on Long Island, 17 Sep 2010, and 30 Sep-1 Oct 2010, both associated with storms, but with very different age compositions. The first involved almost exclusively adults, whereas the second involved both adults and juveniles. Unlike the late summer event described by Fogarty, second- and third-winter individuals were scarce in these later season flights. On 17 Sep 2010, following a severe storm, I found six adults together at Heckscher SP, southwestern Suffolk County, and Paul Gildersleave found six more adults at the same time at nearby Robert Moses SP (RMSP). A few days earlier, on 13 Sep 2010, Angus Wilson reported seven individuals at one site in Montauk: four full adults, a near-adult, and two younger immatures (no juveniles), plus another adult nearby at Napeague. Collectively, mid September featured at least 17 adults, no juveniles, and only a few older immatures. With a storm approaching on the evening of 30 Sep 2010, Patricia Lindsay found six individuals at RMSP: three juveniles, one first-summer, an older immature, and one adult. We posted this news to the NYSBirds listserv and planned to make another search the following morning. On 1 Oct 2010, we searched three sites in southwestern Suffolk County (Heckscher SP, Captree SP, and RMSP) and found 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (six juveniles, three near¬ adults, and three adults). Further east along the south shore of Suffolk County, Mike Cooper found another juvenile at Smith’s Point County Park. But the biggest counts ever recorded came from even further east, where Angus Wilson found 34 individuals between Water Mill and Montauk (14 juveniles, seven older immatures, and 13 adults. Collectively 1 Oct 2010 featured 21 juveniles, just 7-10 older immatures (in contrast to the 24 August 2009 event), and 16-19 adults. Prior to 30 Sep 2010, the largest single-site count of juveniles of which I am aware was a mere two, photographed at RMSP on 2 Oct 2004 (pers. obs.). These data strongly support the idea that the southbound passage of Lesser Black-backed Gulls in coastal New York State occurs in stages, with yearlings peaking in late summer, adults in mid-late September, and juveniles in early October, and that detection is influenced by storms. Furthermore, it seems likely that increases in both actual occurrence and in the detection and identification of first cycle birds contribute to the patterns described here. The earliest explicit reference to a juvenile Lesser-black-backed Gull in New York State of which I am aware is from Cohoes Commons, Albany County, on 30 Sep 1995 (Kingbird 46: 83). I would appreciate any information regarding the historical occurrence of this age class in New York State. Shaibal S. Mitra, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY 10314 shaibal.mitra@csi.cuny.edu 36 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SEASON—FALL 2010 Robert Spahn 716 Hightower Way, Webster, NY14580 rspahn@prodigy.net As always, the fall season was interesting this year, in preparing to write another Highlights I was reminded again that it is advantageous for the Highlights author to also be the editor of the Regional reports. Editing the reports requires working through all in some detail, and researching the highlights aids editing and proof reading the reports. It is hoped that someone will volunteer to do both tasks. WEATHER The weather across the state and through the season was about as uniform and benign as we could imagine for fall. For all months in all Regions, temperatures averaged from near-normal to mostly 0-2° F above normal, with September 3.4- 4.0° above in a few places. Summer extended well into fall, and by season’s end there was not even any significant snowfall anywhere. The only specific notes on frost were a first frost on 19 October in Region 8, with the first killing frost there on 1 November. Rainfall was below normal or only slightly above in nearly all months and all Regions, especially to the farthest east and west in the State. However, all but Region 1 saw a huge rainfall from Tropical Storm Nichole 30 September to 1 October, often in the 3"-4"+ range, which pushed the October and a couple of September totals way above normal (wettest since 1895 in Region 7). These rains inundated many shorebird areas and wiped out thoughts of good late-season shorebirding in many places across the state. The Region 3 report noted strong patterns of back-to-back cold fronts with NW winds, and an effect of this in Region 10 was very few pelagic records from shore, though there was very good pelagic birding offshore. Many Regions noted fallouts of passerines in the 3 and 8-12 September; 1, 7, 20-23, and late October; and 23 November time periods. To several Regional Editors, the fall passerine passage was good over an extended period of time, with many late departure dates noted. An illustration of how good the fall was generally can be seen in the 308 species recorded for the season in Region 10; more than nearly any other Region tallies for a year. About 36 of these species were reported only from Region 10. WATERBIRDS The waterfowl migration was generally weak this season. Most species were reported in average to low or even very low numbers. Snow Goose maxima were low except for a couple of counts in Regions 3 and 7. Only Region 5 posted a really good Brant tally. A wild-banded Barnacle Goose was finally confirmed in Region 10, with origin information obtained. Mute Swan was The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 37 noted in triple-digit numbers in Regions 2 and 10 and in five Regions overall. Trumpeter Swan was reported in four Regions. Puddle ducks were generally poor—only one Region with a maximum for N. Pintail over 100; some good Wood Duck counts; and two N. Shoveler tallies over 200. Divers fared little better except for some good scoter counts, especially for White-winged Scoter, from Regions 5, 7, and 10; scaup counts of over 1000 in Regions 6 and 10; and 2000+ Ring-necked Ducks in Region 6. King Eider was reported in five Regions, Common Eider in good numbers in Region 10, and Ruddy Duck in good numbers in Regions 1 and 10 and ok numbers in Regions 2 and 5. Among the rarer waterfowl. Greater White-fronted Goose was noted in Regions 1, 3, and 10; Ross’s Goose in Region 3; Cackling Goose in seven Regions, with double-digit peaks in Regions 1 and 2; Eurasian Wigeon was located in five Regions, but in lower numbers than usual in Regions 3 and 10; and Harlequin Duck was reported only in Region 10. Canvasback, Redhead, and both scaup were flagged for particularly low numbers. Loons and grebes shared in the comments around poor numbers. The only really good Common Loon count was from Region 3. But on the brighter side, Pacific Loon was found in Regions 3 and 8 and Eared Grebe in Regions 1 and 3. Despite control efforts. Double-crested Cormorant maxima were over 1000 in four Regions. Great Cormorant was reported as expected in Regions 9 and 10 but also as a first county record in Clinton County in Region 7. Among the herons and egrets, one sign of major change is maximum counts of 151 birds inland in Regions 1 and 6. Beyond these, wandering Herons were few, including Little Blue Heron and a plegadis ibis in Region 3 and Yellow- crowned Night-Heron in Region 1. RAPTORS The most complete hawk flight data is from the fall mountain hawkwatches in Region 9 and the Fire Island coastal hawkwatch in Region 10, with additional data from a Noonmark Mt. watch in Region 7 and Derby Hill and nearby in Region 5. The migration was more spread out than usual in Region 9, with peaks for the same species variable across watches in just that relatively limited area. The Fire Island Hawkwatch experienced the best total since 1994, with several species at record high totals. Across the State, we see Osprey at late dates in many Regions, N. Goshawk and Red-shouldered Hawk numbers low in most Regions, Rough-legged Hawk arriving in all Regions in October to early November, and Golden Eagle reported from all but one Region. Black Vulture occurred where now expected in Regions 8 and 10 plus a few more reports in Region 2. The only really rarer species was a juvenile Mississippi Kite in Region 5. SHOREBIRDS, GULLS, AND TERNS Overall, there were problems with lack of habitat and relatively poor numbers for most shorebirds across the state and through the season. However, all 38 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) expected species were reported at least somewhere and a number of rarer species were noted. Among the more interesting observations were: American Oystercatcher in Regions 9 and 10, with a maximum of 312 in Region 10; American Avocet and Willet in Regions 1 and 10; few Red Knot and in only Regions 3 and 10; Western Sandpiper in Regions 7 and 10; two Buff-breasted Sandpipers state record-late on 26 October in Region 10; Ruffin Regions 1 and 3; and low numbers for both dowitchers and all the phalaropes. Peak counts were generally average to low for many species of gulls and terns. The usual Bonaparte’s Gull movement along the south shore of Lake Ontario, often accompanied by other rarer gulls, was weak and the rarities few. Still, as always, there were highlights: Black-legged Kittiwake was noted in five Regions, with a maximum of 21 in Region 10: a Regional high count of five Sabine’s Gulls was reported in Region 2; Black-headed Gull was reported in Regions 2 and 10; Franklin’s Gull was seen in Regions 2, 3, and 10; the white¬ winged gulls appeared as expected late in the season; and Lesser Black-backed Gull was reported in six Regions, with a maximum of 34 in Region 10. Least, Gull-billed. Roseate, and Royal Terns and Black Skimmer were all noted in Region 10, all but Gull-billed to late dates, and with a Black Skimmer peak count of 682. Jaegers were well reported in both the usual coastal and Great Lakes areas. Long-tailed Jaeger was noted in Regions 2, 5, and 7, with individuals into October in each Region, a bit later than typical. SEABIRDS In this grouping, I will lump the whole range of petrels, shearwaters, and alcids, though they are well separated taxonomically. There were no reports of any of these away from coastal areas, not even any N. Gannets on the Great Lakes, and Seth Ausubel provides a great summary in the Region 10 report which you should read. There are rare petrels, storm-petrels, and shearwaters offshore, a Brown Booby story, and several alcid species. LANDBIRDS As usual, owl reporting was sporadic. No Snowy Owls were reported through season’s end, but Short-eared Owls arrived when and where expected in six Regions, and N. Saw-whet Owl was also reported in six Regions, with note of 44 banded at one site in Region 1. This fall Ruby-throated Hummingbird persisted into late September and on into October in all Regions reporting and even to 22 November in Region 10, where a peak count of 61 was also noted in mid-September. Passerines are a huge grouping to summarize, especially with the comments suggesting a good migration over a prolonged period. Starting with the flycatchers, we have Olive-sided in an encouraging six Regions, Yellow- bellied to mid-October in Regions 1 and 9, Great Crested to 18 October in Region 5, an Ash-throated in Region 10, and eight reports of Western Kingbird in Region 10. Northern Shrike arrived in most Regions in the period 8 October The Kingbird 2011 March; 61(1) 39 to 2 November. In the vireo family we find an immature White-eyed Vireo banded on 10 November in Region 2, late Blue-headed Vireos in Regions 9 and 10, and Philadelphia Vireo well reported in all Regions in good numbers. Common Raven was also well reported across the State, with a Regional most- ever 20+ reports in Region 10. Swallow maxima were generally low across the State and departure dates typical to occasionally toward late normal. The big story here was Cave Swallow, for which we have come to expect a late-season influx following appropriate fast-moving storm system from the Southwest. Flights occurred in late October, when birds were reported from in Regions 2, 5, 9, and 10, with a maximum of 21 in Region 5, then again 23-26 November, when a less obviously appropriate weather system brought many more sightings in Regions 1, 2, 5, 9, and 10, with over 200 tallied in Region 2 and a maximum of 14 in Region 10. See Dave Tetlow’s note elsewhere in this issue. There was some irruptive movement of both Black-capped Chickadee and Red-breasted Nuthatch noted in several Regions. In Region 2, a big burst of Black-capped Chickadees beginning about 20 October resulted in over 1000 banded at the Kaiser-Manitou passerine banding station over a few days. During those days I was at the lakewatch at Hamlin Beach SP about 12 miles to the west each morning and noted essentially no chickadee passage there. Since the waterfowl movement those days was slow, I also then walked wooded sections of the park each day without recording exceptional chickadee numbers. Later, near the end of the period, Dave Tetlow was watching the lake from a point nearby and had a good chickadee movement which included also a Boreal Chickadee. Boreal Chickadee was also recorded as a rarity in Regions 8 and 10 and where expected in Regions 6 and 7. Winter Wren, both kinglets, most of the thrushes, and some of the sparrows noted in low numbers last fall were reported in normal or higher numbers this fall over extended date ranges. It is interesting that comments on large night flights are often couched in terms of hearing thrushes, especially from mid- September through the fust week of October. A related theme concerns the numbers of thrushes found on the ground the next day. In several instances this fall, thrushes were not found the day following big numbers heard at night, but 20-25 species of warblers or good numbers of sparrows were tallied. Disparities reported for nocturnal vs. diurnal counts of migrant thrushes mesh with my own observations this fall and over many recent years and should be considered when planning counts to document bird populations over extended areas. Migration has become a much more patchy or spotty event than it was even 20 years ago. Counts are highly dependent on where you go and when. Personally, I had days with very high thrush counts on the ground in Hamlin Beach SP, yet when I stopped by the local passerine banding station, about the same distance off the Lake Ontario shore only 12 miles east, I found they had banded very few or NONE, and in walking the net lanes heard no calls from the surrounding woods and brush. Other days, we closely matched either high or low counts and banding. If trying to document usage of habitat, what you count will be highly dependent on the precise weather conditions prior to 40 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) and during a count visit. Counts done at different times of day or on different days at the same or different sites may vary more due to these factors (as well as observer variability) than due to actual population or habitat description factors. This adds much complexity to serious project planning and data analysis. American Pipit was well reported in all Regions. Bohemian Waxwing arrived in small numbers in Regions 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7, with maxima in single flocks of 75+ in Region 2 and 55 in Region 7. Cedar Waxwing was noted in only moderate numbers through the season. Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting (note the change in location in taxonomic order) arrived at typical fall dates. Snow Bunting was observed in good numbers by season’s end. Warblers epitomized the “good over an extended period” assessment of the migration. There are many notes of “late” attached to warbler departure dates, especially in Region 10. Golden-winged Warbler, a species of special concern, was noted in Regions 3, 8, and 9 and to a State Record Late date of 29 October in Region 9. There was a rare fall report of a “Lawrence’s” Warbler in Region 3. Orange-crowned Warbler was noted in all Regions reporting, with an excellent 50+ reports. Yellow-throated Warbler was found in Regions 5 and 10. Prairie Warbler, a scarce report in the fall, was seen in four Regions, to 20 November in Region 1; Prothonotary in Regions 5 and 10, to a State Record Late 28 October in the latter; and Connecticut Warbler was noted in Regions 1, 2, 3, 6, and 10, at a Regional late date of 16 October in Region 2 and tying the statewide late date of 30 October in Region 10. Yellow-breasted Chat was found in Regions 6, 8, 9, and 10, with 15 reports in the latter. In Region 7, there was a report of a possible Nashville x Black-throated Blue Warbler hybrid. Sparrow reports were generally typical of the season. American Tree Sparrow arrived across the State mosdy in October, a few lingering Clay- colored Sparrows were found, an early “Ipswich” Sparrow arrived in Region 10 on 18 October, Lark Sparrow appeared as a rarity in Region 1 and with four reports in Region 10, and White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows were both reported in good numbers, though decreasing by season’s end. Among the blackbirds, we find a Regional record late Bobolink in Region 2, a Brewer’s Blackbird in Region 10, Yellow-headed Blackbird in Region 5, a very late Orchard Oriole to 15 November in Region 10, and November Baltimore Oriole records in four Regions. Winter finches were noted scattered across the State, but usually in only very small numbers. There was only a single report of Pine Grosbeak in Region 2, Purple Finch was noted as “good” in six Regions, both crossbills were seen in small numbers—Red in five Regions and White-winged in nine Regions, Pine Siskin was well reported, and Evening Grosbeak appeared in small numbers in eight Regions, with a maximum 40 in Region 7. TRENDS AND SPECIES OF SPECIAL INTEREST Snow Goose: back to lower counts, at least through season’s end. Cattle Egret: Another major continuing trend was the late season occurrence of Cattle Egret, with individuals in six Regions mainly in late October into early The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 41 November and with a maximum of 17 in one flock over Region 3 and 10 reports totaling around 25 birds in Region 10. Sandhill Crane: A relatively new breeding species in the State, with increasing reports for some time. This season birds were found in Regions 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7, with intriguing reports in Regions 6 and 7 suggesting pairs present all summer and possible breeding this year or even in the past. The species persisted through season’s end in at least two Regions. Common Nighthawk: Low to very low numbers everywhere, with no maxima above a 24 reported in Region 9. Dickcissel: reports from six Regions, typically 1-2 records, but 12 reports from Region 10. This is another case where the flight call is easy to learn and many of the reports are flyover birds. Rusty Blackbird: A species of special concern due to steep population decline, but noted in all Regions this fall, with a maximum of 1800 in Region 1. BIRD OF THE SEASON I have sometimes focused a good deal of attention on this section, but this report is long and rarities are already highlighted in bold type in the regional report introductions and all caps in the species sections. So just a look at the rarest here: From Region 1—California Gull for the 18 th of the last 19 years, a Ruff, and a seventh Regional record Lark Sparrow; Region 2—a first Regional and fifth State record Lewis’s Woodpecker, a third Regional Gray Kingbird, and two Bicknell’s Thrushes banded; Region 3—an imm. Purple Gallinule and a Ruff; Region 5—an imm. Mississippi Kite; Region 7—Long-tailed Jaeger; Region 8—Rufous Hummingbird: Region 9—photos of dark morph Red-tailed Hawk over a hawkwatch; and Region 10—Black-capped Petrel, White-faced Storm- Petrel, a second State record Band-rumped Storm-Petrel, Magnificent Frigatebird, two White-winged Doves, Loggerhead Shrike, Bicknell’s Thrush, Varied Thrush, and Brewer’s Blackbird. Given all the really great rarities this fall, choosing a BOTS Award record was difficult, but my choice goes to the State First Record Common Ground-Dove in Region 10. CORRIGENDUM Due to a printing error, Table 1 in Doug Gochfeld’s article, “Predictions of species to be added to the New York State Checklist—v. 4.0” was truncated on page 307 of Volume 60. A corrected version of this table, formatted to the page size of The Kingbird , is available for download at: http://www.nybirds.org/Publications/kingbird.htm. Hard copies of the corrected table are also available from Shaibal S. Mitra, Biology Department, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY 10314. 42 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) REGION 1—NIAGARA FRONTIER Mike Morgante 59 Briar Hill Road, Orchard Park, NY 14127 morgm@roadrunner.com The wonderful summer weather continued in September. The average temperature, 62.6° F, was 1.1° F above normal. Monthly precipitation at Buffalo-Niagara International Aiiport was 2.85", 0.99" below normal. The Region was only lightly touched (0.5") by the massive coastal rain storm on the 30 th . October was tranquil and uneventful. The average temperature was 50.9° F, 0.2° F above normal, and the monthly precipitation was 3.06", 0.13" below normal. The tranquil weather continued through November, with sunnier conditions and only negligible snow. The average temperature was 41.5° F, 1.3° F above normal. The monthly precipitation was 3.55", 0.37" below normal, with only 1.6" of snow, 9.4" below normal. Weather information was obtained from National Weather Service monthly summaries at Buffalo-Niagara International Airport. It seemed to be a typical migration for Canada Geese for recent year's in terms of timing and numbers. A group of 8-9 Greater White-fronted Geese was frequently seen at Iroquois NWR for almost a week in early November. Snow Geese were largely absent, with only a few reports and a maximum of only three geese at a time. All were blue morph. There were just three reports of Brant, including a group of four flying over Grand Island. Cackling Goose sightings were from four locations, with the highest counts (maximum of 18) being at Iroquois NWR. Waterfowl migration was fairly typical. Surf Scoter was the only species observed in higher than normal numbers, as more than 200 were counted several times in October at the source of the Niagara River. Eared Grebes were once again present at Batavia WWTP through the season, with a maximum of two birds. Great Egrets continue to roost in large numbers at Iroquois NWR and vicinity. A maximum of 151 was counted coming to roost on 7 September. Two separate Cattle Egrets were found in the last week of October. Bob Ensminger found one in Royalton that several other birders were able to observe that day, while Joe Salvador found one in Bethany. The juvenile Yellow-crowned Night- Heron at Dunkirk Harbor that was first discovered in August was sighted occasionally until at least 20 September. The maximum count of Bald Eagles this fall was 11 on 28 November by Tim Baird at Allegany SP and the adjacent Allegheny Reservoir. Baird also sighted the season’s only Northern Goshawk and Golden Eagle on 31 October, both at Allegany SP. Shorebird reports were mostly from Batavia WWTP and Iroquois NWR and vicinity. The highlight was the first Regional fall season report of a Ruff. Bill Watson and Mark Schlacter found this juvenile with several Lesser Yellowlegs at Batavia WWTP on 18 October. Based on a review of numerous The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 43 photos taken, Watson feels it was likely a female, a Reeve. Reports of this species in any season have been very scarce lately, and this was our first record since 1997. Two American Avocets at Times Beach Nature Preserve in Buffalo were much more cooperative in enabling many birders the opportunity to see them 9-12 October. Rounding out the shorebird highlights: David Harrison found two Willets at Barcelona Harbor on 1 September, there were two Red¬ necked Phalaropes at Batavia WWTP 27 September, and an unidentified phalarope was seen on Lake Ontario in late October which by date is likely a Red. The fall gull season was marked by few rarities and seemingly lighter coverage than usual. An immature Black-legged Kittiwake was found at Niagara Falls on 25 November. There was at least one adult California Gull on the Niagara River, with a grouping of sightings at Niagara Falls SP in late October and early November and another grouping at the Niagara Power Project in late November. This makes 18 out of the last 19 years that at least one California Gull has been documented on the Niagara River. Several Thayer’s Gulls are reported regularly on the Niagara River each fall and winter. However, very few are ever documented via verification report and/or photographs. Willie D’Anna photographed an adult Thayer’s Gull found by Andy Guthrie at close range standing with other large gulls at Niagara Falls SP on 31 October. D’Anna’s verification report detailed the field marks for Thayer’s Gull including: dark eyes; black primary tips with “very reduced black on the underside of the primaries”; slightly smaller than adjacent Herring Gulls; shorter bill than Herring Gull but seemingly longer than most Iceland Gulls; “blockier” head than an Iceland; extensive brown streaking on the head, neck, and breast; and slightly darker gray mantle than Herring Gull. Several Parasitic Jaegers were observed along Lake Ontario, and a maximum of seven was found on Lake Erie at Hamburg by David Wheeler during a windy day on 28 October. David Junkin banded 44 Northern Saw-whet Owls at his banding station in Wethersfield, with a maximum of nine on 31 October. Short-eared Owls were only reported at a regular location hi Shelby late in the season. No Snowy Owls were reported for the second consecutive fall. There were only two reports of Common Nighthawks and only a maximum of 10. Dave Tetlow found a Cave Swallow in the Oak Orchard Creek gorge near Point Breeze on 23 November. Despite several searches no others could be found in Region 1 over the next few days. There were no large buildups of migrants likely due to the tranquil weather; however, there were several days or periods of days with good numbers of passerine migrants in September. Three Olive-sided Flycatcher reports were more than usual. Late appearances were made by Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Eastern Kingbird. Warbler highlights were a Connecticut Warbler at Tifft NP photographed by Chris Newton and a very late Prairie Warbler in first basic (female) plumage at the yard of Willie D’Anna and Betsy Potter on 20 November. The Prairie Warbler was a bonus find for those birders present to get a look at the Lark Sparrow visiting feeders in the same yard. The Lark Sparrow, the Region’s seventh, was present 17-24 November. 44 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) There were two separate Dickcissel reports, with one found foraging at Amherst SP on 11 September by Chris Hollister and another found by David Gordon in Porter that was seen by several birders 22-25 October. Some higher counts of Rusty Blackbirds were made, even well into November. Kurt Fox witnessed a large stream of blackbirds flying over his house in Alexander in the early morning of 6 November. He counted 6,000 blackbirds and estimated 30% of them were Rusty Blackbirds. He suspected that they were coming from a night roost in a cattail marsh on nearby Old Creek Road. Lynette Rivers was delighted to have a female Baltimore Oriole take up residence in her yard from 7 November until the end of the month. The oriole no doubt was delighted to have meal worms and jelly placed in feeders for its consumption. Pine Siskins seemed to pass through the Region in relatively low numbers in October and November. Purple Finches were present in slightly higher numbers than recent fall seasons. There were single sightings of White-winged Crossbill and Common Redpoll late in the season and several sightings of Evening Grosbeaks at the D’ Anna/Potter feeders in November. The 75th annual BOS October Count was held on the 10th and compiled by Marcie Jacklin. The weather was pleasant, with partly cloudy skies and a passing warm front. The count recorded 169 species, with two second count records—American Avocet and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher—and nine record high counts—4 Cackling Goose*, 41 Mute Swan*, 258 Suif Scoter, 39 Great Egret*, 553 Turkey Vulture*, 33 Pileated Woodpecker*, 2808 Tree Swallow, and 50 Carolina Wren. (* indicates increasing trend in recent years.) It is with great sadness to report that David Neveu passed away in November at the age of 43. Dave was one of the Region’s most active birders, as he birded almost daily while making his rounds in Chautauqua County as an audiologist. From his home base in Silver Creek he would regularly cover the Lake Erie shoreline from Dunkirk Harbor to the mouth of Cattaraugus Creek, and he was one of the few birders regularly reporting from northern Chautauqua County. He had many great finds through the years, most recently the juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at Dunkirk Harbor in August; a bud I suspect that many birders would have passed over. He would regularly post lists of his sightings to the geneseebirds listserv and often with some funny anecdotes or quips. He will be missed. CONTRIBUTORS Connie Adams, Tim Baird, Doug Beattie, Jim Berry (JBe), Chris Betrus, Jay Burney (JBu), Lewis Crowell, Willie D’Anna, Elaine Dart, Robert & Donna Deleon, Bruce DiLabio, Bob Ensminger, Kurt Fox, Mike Galas, David Gordon, Andy Guthrie, Carol Hardenburg, David Harrison, David Junkin, Jim Landau (JiL), Jerry Lazarczyk (JeL), Joe Mitchell, Celeste Morien, Terry Mosher, Chris Newton, Susan O’Donnell, Jim Pawlicki, Betsy Potter, Lynnette Rivers, Richard Rosche, Chuck Rosenburg, John Rosenburg, Vicki Rothman, Joe Salvador, Mark Schlacter, Debbie Sharon Holly Sweeney, William Watson, David Wheeler, Angus Wilson, Peter Yoerg. The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 45 ABBREVIATIONS A1SP - Allegany SP CATT; AmSP - Amherst SP ERIE; BeSP - Beaver I SP ERIE; BOSOC - Buffalo Ornithological Society 10 Oct Count; BuSP - Buckhorn I SP ERIE; BWWTP - Batavia Waste Water Treatment Plant GENE; ChauL - Chautauqua L CHAU; DH - Dunkirk Harbor CHAU; DLSP - Darien Lakes SP GENE; FNSP - Fort Niagara SP NIAG; GHSP - Golden Hill SP NIAG; INWR - Iroquois NWR GENE/ORLE; LBSP - Lakeside Beach SP ORLE; NF - Niagara Falls NIAG; NFSP - Niagara Falls SP NIAG; NPP - Niagara Power Project on Niagara R NIAG; NR - Niagara R ERIE/N1AG; TBNP - Times Beach NP ERIE; Tifft NP - Tifft Nature Preserve, Buffalo ERIE; TWMA - Tonawanda WMA GENE/NIAG; WTSP - Wilson- Tuscarora SP NIAG. WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES Greater White-fronted Goose: 8-9 INWR 7- 13 Nov (CN, CM, mob), only report, 9 is new fall max. Snow Goose: arr 1, 2, 3 INWR 25 Oct, 7 Nov, 9 Nov, all blue phase; 2 Newfane NIAG 28 Oct; Olcott NIAG 19 Nov; only reports. Brant: arr 4 Grand I ERIE 21 Oct (JeL, DG), flyovers; FNSP 7 Nov; Yates ORLE 14 Nov; only reports. Cackling Goose: arr Somerset NIAG 9 Oct (WD); 4 Yorkshire CATT BOSOC (JiL); 13 INWR 25 Oct, 13 Nov (CN, WD, WW); max 18 INWR 18 Nov (CN, WD, WW); 3 BWWTP 28 Nov (KF). Mute Swan: 41 BOSOC. including areas in Ontario; 3 WTSP 24, 29 Oct; Jamestown CHAU 28 Nov; only reports. Tundra Swan: arr Bird Swamp CATT BOSOC (JiL), slightly early; 2 INWR 25 Oct; 4 Buffalo ERIE 30 Oct; Carlton ORLE 30 Oct; 25 TWMA 10 Nov; max 165 BeSP 26 Nov; 110 ChauL 28 Nov. Wood Duck: max 58 BWWTP 19 Sep. Gad wall: 30 BWWTP 31 Oct; 30 BWWTP 6 Nov; max 50 Buffalo NR ERIE 30 Oct; 48 Tifft NP 8 Nov. Am. Wigeon: max 115 BWWTP 2 Oct. Am. Black Duck: max 45 BWWTP 28 Nov. Blue-winged Teal: max 42 BWWTP 12 Sep; last Tifft NP 9 Nov (CN). N. Sltoveler: Buffalo ERIE 2 Sep; max 216 BWWTP 16 Oct: 183 BWWTP 18 Oct. N. Pintail: 35 FNSP 25 Sep (DW), 35 FNSP 1 Oct (DW); max 87 BWWTP 9 Oct (KF); 79 BWWTP 6 Nov (KF). Green-winged Teal: 50 INWR 25 Sep; max 59 BWWTP 23 Oct; 36 Alexander GENE 7 Nov. Canvasback: arr BOSOC; 4 Youngstown NIAG 22 Oct; 6, 3 BWWTP 1,6 Nov. Redhead: arr 2 Buffalo NR 17 Sep; Youngstown NIAG 22 Oct; 2 Somerset NIAG 30 Oct. Ring-necked Duck: arr 6 BWWTP 19 Sep; max 192 BWWTP 23 Oct (KF); 145 BWWTP 13 Nov (KF). Greater Scaup: arr Wilson NIAG 25 Sep; 4 BWWTP 28 Nov. less common inland. Lesser Scaup: arr BWWTP 12 Sep; max 55, 60 BWWTP 31 Oct, 6 Nov. Surf Scoter: arr Wilson NIAG 25 Sep (WD); 3, 1,1 BWWTP 1,18 Oct, 6 Nov (JM, WW, CM); max 262 Buffalo NR 6 Oct (WW); 258 BOSOC; 17 GHSP 16 Oct; 60 Buffalo Harbor ERIE 29 Oct. White-winged Scoter: 6 Wilson NIAG 25 Sep; 5 Buffalo NR 7 Oct; 3 BWWTP 6 Nov, uncommon inland. Black Scoter: an- 7 BOSOC; 1 Hamburg ERIE 28 Oct, 17 Nov, 27 Nov; FNSP 29 Oct; 2, 1 BWWTP 6, 13 Nov (WW, CM, KF), rare inland. Long-tailed Duck: arr 24 GHSP 16 Oct; 25 Buffalo Harbor 28 Oct; 1 BWWTP 31 Oct, 6, 28 Nov; Bethany GENE 26 Nov; 50 Hamburg ERIE 27 Nov. Bufflehead: BWWTP 4 Sep, from summer; an 22 BOSOC. Com. Goldeneye: arr 1 17 BOSOC; max 279 NF 5 Nov. Hooded Merganser: 120 INWR lONov; max 125 INWR 20 Nov; max 125 A1SP, Allegheny Res 28 Nov (TB). Red-breasted Merganser: an 42 BOSOC; Salamanca CATT 15 Oct (CB); Mayville ChauL 16 Oct; 1,2 BWWTP 6. 19 Nov. Ruddy Duck: 1270, 1322, max 1371 BWWTP 23 Oct, 31 Oct, 6 Nov (KF), increase overpast few years but still lower than historical for location; 30 ChauL 28 Nov. Red-throated Loon: an 2 BOSOC; max 16 GHSP 24 Nov. 46 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) Com. Loon: 4 Wilson NIAG 5 Sep; 1, 2 Hamburg ERIE 5, 29 Sep; 4 FNSP 25 Sep; Dayton CATT 3 Oct; max 175 GHSP 16 Oct. Pied-billed Grebe: max 55 TWMA 7 Sep (WW). Horned Grebe: arr BWWTP 19 Sep; 2 Sheridan CHAU 29 Sep; max 75 Sheridan CHAU 13 Oct (DW). Red-necked Grebe: arr 2 BOSOC; 5 GHSP 16 Oct; Whirlpool NIAG 2, 11 Nov; 7 Wilson NIAG to Shadigee ORLE 14 Nov; only reports. EARED GREBE: 1-2 BWWTP 4 Sep thru (mob), annual at this location. Double-crested Cormorant: 71 1 BuSP 1 Sep (WW); 618 BuSP 1 Oct(WW); 69 BWWTP 12 Sep; 856, 763, 1325 Buffalo ERIE 17 Sep, 6, 9 Oct (WW); leucistic Wilson NIAG 4 Oct; 20, 3 INWR 24 Oct, 10 Nov. Least Bittern: Tifft NP 11 Sep (JM), only report. Great Egret: 21 BWWTP 4 Sep; max 151 INWR 7 Sep (WW); last 3 INWR 17 Oct. CATTLE EGRET: RoyaltonNIAG 24 Oct (BE); Alexander GENE 29 Oct (JS); near annual in late fall. Green Heron: lastTBNP 15 Oct. Black-crowned Night-Heron: last Tifft NP 26 Oct. YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON: juv DH 6, 20 Sep (JeL), continued from Aug. Turkey Vulture: last Grand I ERIE 11 Nov. HAWKS - ALCIDS Osprey: last Depew ERIE 4 Nov. Bald Eagle: 23 BOSOC; max 11 A1SP & Allegheny Res 28 Nov (TB). N. Goshawk: A1SP 7 Sep (TB), only report. Red-shouldered Hawk: imm Alden ERIE 23 Oct; RTPI 27 Oct; Orchard Park ERIE 31 Oct; 2 Busti CHAU 21 Nov; only reports beyond BOSOC. Broad-winged Hawk: Alden ERIE 1 Sep; last Williamsville ERIE 10 Sep. Rough-legged Hawk: arr GHSP 27 Oct. GOLDEN EAGLE: AlSP 31 Oct (TB), has wintered at this location, Merlin: Salamanca CATT. Alden ERIE 23 Sep; FNSP 2 Oct; BOSOC: Porter NIAG 2 Nov; BWWTP 6 Nov; only reports. Peregrine Falcon: reported from 7 locations. Virginia Rail: Tifft NP 12 Sep; BWWTP 14 Sep; last BOSOC; only reports. Sora: Randolph CATT 12 Sep; TWMA 30 Sep; last BOSOC; only reports. Com. Moorhen: last Tifft NP 12 Oct. Am. Coot: max 200Mayviile ChauL 18 Oct; 120 TWMA 10 Nov. Black-bellied Plover: Buffalo ERIE 17 Sep; S. Dayton CATT 18 Sep; 3, I Buffalo Harbor ERIE 8 Oct. 26 Oct; max 10 BWWTP 23 Oct. Am. Golden-Plover: 2 S. Dayton CATT 18 Sep; BWWTP 19 Sep; last BOSOC; only reports. Killdeer: last 6 Jamestown CHAU 28 Nov (JBe). AM. AVOCET: 2 TBNP 9-12 Sep (JBu, CR, mob): becoming a regular occurrence in summer and fall. Spotted Sandpiper: last BWWTP 21 Oct. Solitary Sandpiper: last BOSOC. Gr. Yellow legs: max 24 BWWTP 4 Sep; last 2 BWWTP 6 Nov. Willet: 2 Barcelona CHAU 1 Sep (DH); only report. Lesser Yellowlegs: max 39 BWWTP 19 Sep; last Elba GENE 24 Oct. Ruddy Turnstone: 1,5 Buffalo Harbor ERIE 2. 24 Sep; only reports. Sanderling: I BWWTP 12, 19 Sep, 1-2 Oct; max 12 DH 23 Sep. Semipalmated Sandpiper: last 6 BOSOC. Least Sandpiper: max 23 BWWTP 12 Sep; BOSOC; last Elba GENE 24 Oct (DW!). White-rumped Sandpiper: 2 BOSOC; 4 Wilson NIAG 17 Oct (WD); 1 Elba GENE 18, 24 Oct (DW). Baird’s Sandpiper: 1 BWWTP 4,26 Sep, only reports. Pectoral Sandpiper: max 16 BWWTP 14 Sep; 12 Elba GENE 23 Oct; last 9 Elba GENE 24 Oct. Dunlin: 15 INWR 25 Oct; max 212 FNSP 29 Oct (JP, DW); 138 Buffalo Harbor ERIE 30 Oct. Stilt Sandpiper: BWWTP 12 Sep (KF), only report. RUFF: juv BWWTP 18 Oct (WW!, MS, NYSARC), first fall report for Region, dowitcher species: 1 -2 INWR 27 Oct (DW), likely Long-billed. Wilson’s Snipe: max 15 S. Dayton CATT 18 Sep (RR). Am. Woodcock: last 2 Shelby ORLE 16 Oct. Red-necked Phalarope: 2 BWWTP 27 Sep (JM, DB, ED); only report, phalarope species: Barker NIAG 30 Oct (SO, WW), likely Red. Black-legged Kittiwake: imm NF 25 Nov (WD, BP), only report, Bonaparte’s Gull: max 8825 FNSP 26 Nov (BD). Little Gull: arr FNSP 15 Oct; 2 Buffalo ERIE 28 Oct; Lewiston NR 29, 31 Oct. CALIFORNIA GULL: ad NFSP 29 Oct-5 Nov (JP! DW! WD! WW! NYSARC); ad NPP 47 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 26, 28 Nov (WD! NYSARC); annual in fall at this location. Thayer’s Gull: ad NFSP 31 Oct (WD! AG, photo), well documented; several undocumented reports from NPP and NF. Iceland Gull: arr NFSP 29 Oct; max 6 NPP 25 Nov. Lesser Black-backed Gull: arr 3,4 NFSP 19, 26 Sep; DH 23 Sep; Sheridan CHAU 29 Sep; juv Wilson NIAG 17 Oct; 7 NF31 Oct; max 11 NF 21 Nov (WD, AW), Glaucous Gull: arr NF 21 Nov; 3 NPP 25 Nov. Caspian Tern: last 3 NFSP BOSOC (MG). Black Tern: BWWTP 1 2 Sep (KF); last 2-1 FNSP 25-26 Sep (DW, JP). Com. Tern: max 178 FNSP 4 Sep (WW,JP); max 200 FNSP 26 Sep (WW, JP); 170, 58 Wilson NIAG 5, 8 Sep (WD); 3 BWWTP 19 Sep (KF); 5 BOSOC: last Buffalo ERIE 30 Oct. Parasitic Jaeger: arr Wilson NIAG 5, 8 Sep (WD); 1, 5,1,5 FNSP 25, 26 Sep, 1, 15 Oct; 2 GHSP 16 Oct: max 7 Hamburg ERIE 28 Oct (DW); Buffalo ERIE 28 Oct: last Porter NIAG 2 Nov. jaeger species: 3 FNSP 29 Sep (PY); 2 BOSOC; Buffalo ERIE 28 Oct. PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS Yellow-billed Cuckoo: TifftNP 17 Sep (WW), only report. Snowy Owl: no reports. Short-eared Owl: 3, 2 E Shelby ORLE 22, 25 Nov (CM); only reports. N. Saw-whet Owl: 44 banded Wethersfield WYOM 9 Oct-12 Nov (DJ), max 9 on 31 Oct. Com. Nighthawk: 3 Alden ERIE 13 Sep; max 10 Buffalo ERIE 22 Sep; only reports. Chimney Swift: 70 BWWTP 4 Sep (KF); max 100 TifftNP 12 Sep (CN); last 16 Buffalo ERIE BOSOC. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: last BOSOC. Red-headed Woodpecker: Tifft NP 9, 10 Sep: 3 LBSP 17 Sep; 3 BOSOC; Hamburg ERIE 27 Oct; Alabama GENE 9 Nov (CM); only reports. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: an- 2 Tifft NP 17 Sep. FLYCATCHERS - WAXWINGS Olive-sided Flycatcher: INWR 5 Sep (R&DD); AmSP 11 Sep (CH); Pomfret CHAU 13 Sep (TM); only reports. E. Wood-Pewee: last SPNS BOSOC. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: six Sep reports; last W Valley CATT BOSOC (JiL), late. Least Flycatcher: last Williamsville ERIE 16 Sep. E. Phoebe: last 2 WTSP 24 Oct. Gr. Crested Flycatcher: last WTSP 11 Sep. E. Kingbird: 3 Wilson NIAG 7 Sep; AmSP 13 Sep; last BWWTP 26 Sep (DB!), late. N. Shrike: arr Tifft NP 26 Oct. Yellow-throated Vireo: last BeSP 15 Sep (DS) , only report. Blue-headed Vireo: air WTSP, Tifft NP 10 Sep; last 2 Alden ERIE 17 Oct. Warbling Vireo: last Williamsville ERIE 17 Sep. Philadelphia Vireo: 8 reports Sep; last BOSOC. Red-eyed Vireo: last 4 BOSOC. Com. Raven: 2 Poland CHAU 26 Sep (JBe); Bethany GENE 18 Oct; only locations away from ALLE, CATT. Horned Lark: max 20 E Shelby ORLE 1, 23 Nov. Purple Martin: last 2 BWWTP 19 Sep. Tree Swallow: max 500 BWWTP 4 Sep (KF); last BWWTP 6 Nov (KF). N. Rough-winged Swallow: max 65 BWWTP 4 Sep; last 16 BOSOC. Bank Swallow: last 25 BWWTP 19 Sep. Cliff Swallow: last BWWTP 19 Sep. CAVE SWALLOW: Carlton ORLE 23 Nov (DT) , in Oak Orchard Creek gorge. Barn Swallow: max 75 BWWTP 19 Sep; last BWWTP 31 Oct (KF). Carolina Wren: 50 BOSOC, increased over past few years. House Wren: last 4 BOSOC. Winter Wren: an- 2 Tifft NP 5 Sep. Marsh Wren: TBNP 15 Oct; last 3, 1 INWR 9, 13 Nov (CM! WD!). Golden-crowned Kinglet: arr Wilson NIAG 15 Sep. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: arr 2 WTSP 1J Sep. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: last Tifft NP 8 Sep. Veery: last GHSP BOSOC (HS!). Gray-cheeked Thrush: arr Williamsville ERIE 10 Sep; last BOSOC. Swainson’s Thrush: arr 3 Tifft NP 5 Sep; last Shelby ORLE 24 Oct (CM). Hermit Thrush: arr Williamsville ERIE, Wilson NIAG 16 Sep. Wood Thrush: last BOSOC. Gray Catbird: Tifft NP 8, 9 Nov; only report beyond Oct. N. Mockingbird: slight increase in reports away from L Ontario. Brown Thrasher: BOSOC; last Tifft NP 9 Nov (CN); five other earlier reports. Am. Pipit: an 30 Alabama GENE 26 Sep; max 200 Porter NIAG 13 Oct (VR); 150 Shelby ORLE & 150 INWR 24 Oct (CM); last INWR 20 Nov. 48 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) PHOTO GALLERY—FALL 2010 Lewis’s Woodpecker, Livonia, Ontario, Nov 2010, © Fred A. Jordan. The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 49 Juv Ruff, Montezuma NWR, 6 Sep 10, © Chris Wood (top photo, large bird at left). Juv Red-tailed Hawk, ssp. calurus, Ovid, Seneca, 21 Nov 10 © Chris Wood (middle). Gray Kingbird, Savannah, Wayne, 23 Oct 10, © Dominic Sherony (bottom left). HY Fran kl in’s Gull, Robert Moses SP, Suffolk, 27 Oct 10, © Ken Feustel (bottom right). 50 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) Common Ground-Dove, Captree SP, Suffolk, 31 Oct 10, © Andrew Baksh (top) & © Corey Finger (middle); ad Franklin’s Gull, Captree SP, Suffolk 27 Oct 10, © Shai Mitra. The Kingbird 2011 March; 61(1) 51 Orchard Oriole, Jones Beach SP, Nassau, 13 Nov 10 © Ken Feustel. See p. 93. Ring-billed Gull, Riverfront P, Albany, 29 Nov 10, © Richard Guthrie. See pp. 34. Juv Lesser Black-backed Gull, Irondequoit Bay, Monroe, 9 Nov 10, © Dominic Sherony. 52 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) Photos from the New York State Avian Records Committee’s Annual Report for 2009 Thayer’s Gull, Sheldrake Point, Seneca, 7 Nov 2009, © Tom Brodie Johnson. Although identification issues limit our understanding of the status of Thayer’s Gull in NYS, recent advances in digital photography have made it easier to document candidates. Few individuals are as clear-cut as this classic first-cycle bird. Salient field marks include the complete tail band, solid brown centers on the tertials, pale edges and inner vanes on the primaries, all-dark bill and dark eye mask. The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 53 Purple Gallinule, Mendon Ponds Park, Monroe, 13 Oct 2009, © Brad Carlson. This juvenile was discovered by Pat Martin on 11 Oct at the southern end of Quaker Pond but, sadly, was found dead two days later. Trumpeter Swan, Upper Lake, Yaphank, Suffolk, 14 Feb 2009, © Shai Mitra. An increasingly familiar sight in upstate NY, this species was essentially unheard of on Long Island until this pair took up residence on a small suburban pond, much to the indignation of the local Mute Swans. 54 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) Rufous Hummingbird, Grymes Hill, Staten Island, Richmond, 11 Oct 2009, © Seth Wollney. This immature male visited Howie Fischer’s feeder for close to 3 months, during which time it was captured to confirm the identification. Yellow-headed Blackbird, Honeoye Falls, Monroe, 20 Jan 2009, © Brad Carlson. This first-basic male added a splash of color to a flock of Brown-headed Cowbirds and European Starlings visiting a winter feeder. The well-mannered blackbird avoided seed on the ground, preferring to feed at the hopper, and frequently sipped water after dining. The Kingbird 2011 March; 61(1) 55 California Gull, Three Sisters Islands, Niagara River, Niagara, 7 Oct 2009, © Jim Pawlicki. The Niagara River has provided the majority of NYS records, with one or two birds present in recent winters. This third-cycle bird shows a noticeably darker mantle compared to the Ring-billed Gull in the foreground, brownish mottling on the sides of the lower neck and a hint of the red gonydeal spot. Black Guillemot, Sebonac Inlet, Southampton, Suffolk, 26 Dec 2009, © Angus Wilson. Few examples of the High Arctic subspecies mandtii have been documented in the lower- 48, and this is the first for NYS. In addition to the overall whiteness of the head and upperparts, juveniles have white tipped secondaries, forming a narrow trailing edge. The white, rather than gray, underwing rules out Pigeon Guillemot. 56 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) LONGSPURS - WARBLERS Lapland Longspur: arr BOSOC; 1,20, 1 Shelby ORLE 24 Oct, 1,23 Nov (CM); only reports. Snow Bunting: arr 20 BWWTP 28 Oct; max 300 Shelby ORLE 23 Nov; 250 Bethany GENE 28 Nov. Blue-winged Warbler: TifftNP 10 Sep; last BeSP 12 Sep. Tennessee Warbler: last BOSOC. Orange-crowned Warbler: air NFSP 11 Sep; 4 Poland CHAU 26 Sep (JBe); BOSOC; last Tifft NP 24 Oct; seven other reports. Nashville Warbler: last Wethersfield WYOM 31 Oct (DJ), banded. N. Parula: last Tifft NP 1 Oct. Yellow Warbler: last 2 TifftNP 12 Sep. Chestnut-sided Warbler: last 2 BOSOC. Magnolia Warbler: last Tifft NP 7 Oct. Cape May Warbler: seven Sep reports; last Bethany GENE 12 Oct. Black-throated Blue Warbler: last 2 BOSOC. Yellow-rumped Warbler: max 150 NFSP 2 Oct (WD); BWWTP, Portland CHAU 13 Nov. Black-throated Green Warbler: last BOSOC. Pine Warbler: arr ChauL 5 Sep; max 6 Como P ERIE 12 Sep (LC); last BOSOC. Prairie Warbler. Ashford CATT 1 Sep (JR); Wilson NIAG 20 Nov (WD!), very late. Palm Warbler (D.p. palmarum ): arr Tifft NP 10 Sep; last 2 BOSOC Bay-breasted Warbler: arr WTSP, Wilson NIAG 5 Sep: last 2 BOSOC. BlackpoU Warbler: last Wethersfield WYOM 29 Oct (DJ), banded. Black-and-white Warbler: last BOSOC. Am. Redstart: max 15 Tifft NP 8 Sep; last BOSOC. Ovenbird: last Tifft NP 1 Oct. N. Waterthrush: Williamsville ERIE 8 Sep, only report. Connecticut Warbler: Tifft NP 10 Sep (CN, photo), only report. Mourning Warbler: last Buffalo ERIE 19 Sep. Com. Yellowthroat: last BOSOC. Hooded Warbler: last Yates ORLE 27 Sep. Wilson’s Warbler: last Pomfret CHAU 26 Sep. Canada Warbler: last 2 Tifft NP 9 Sep. TOWHEES-WEAVERS E. Towhee: an - Newfane NIAG 4 Oct. Am. Tree Sparrow: arr 4 BOSOC. Vesper Sparrow: DLSP 19 Oct (DW); only report. LARK SPARROW: Wilson NIAG 17-24 Nov (BP, WD!), 7th record for Region. Savannah Sparrow: last Wilson NIAG 17 Oct. Fox Sparrow: arr 3 Tifft NP 4 Oct; max 11,10 Tonawanda ERIE 24 Oct, 3 Nov (WW); last Colden ERIE 19 Nov. Lincoln's Sparrow: arr 2 TilTl NP 11 Sep; last Tifft NP, Tonawanda ERIE, Porter NIAG 24 Oct. White-throated Sparrow: arr Wilson NIAG 10 Sep. White-crowned Sparrow: arr BWWTP 19 Sep. Dark-eyed Junco: arr Wilson NIAG, Williamsville ERIE 16 Sep. Scarlet Tanager: last 2 Tifft NP 4 Oct. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: last Alabama GENE. Poland CHAU 26 Sep. Indigo Bunting: BeSP 2 Oct; last 3 BOSOC. DICKCISSEL: AmSP 11 Sep (CH); Porter NIAG 22-25 Oct (DG!, mob), with many sparrows, Bobolink: no reports. Red-winged Blackbird: max 3900 Alexander GENE 6 Nov (KF), coming from roost. Rusty Blackbird: air BWWTP 19 Sep; 50 WTSP 24 Oct; max 1800 (est) Alexander GENE 6 Nov (KF), coming from roost in large blackbird flock: 300.40 Shelby ORLE 13,20 Nov (CM). Baltimore Oriole: WTSP 6 Sep; 3, 1 Williamsville ERIE 8,11 Sep; Hamburg ERIE 7 Nov thru (LR), at feeder, late. Purple Finch: 100 BOSOC, better than last few years but still nol widespread; leucistic Wilson NIAG 1 Nov (WD, BP). White-winged Crossbill: arr Wilson NIAG 29 Nov (BP), only report. Com. Redpoll: arr Wilson NIAG 25 Nov (BP), only report. Pine Siskin: arr S Wales ERIE 29 Sep; 16 Colden ERIE 1 Nov; max 40-60 Wilson NIAG 17 Nov thru; moderate number of reports mostly in single digits Oct, Nov. Evening Grosbeak: arr 5 Wilson NIAG 8-9 Nov (BP); 1 Wilson NIAG 25 Nov (BP), only location with reports. The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 57 REGION 2—GENESEE Kevin C. Griffith 61 Grandview Lane, Rochester, NY 14612 ckgrif@frontiernet.net It turned out to be a pretty good September. The average temperature of 61.9° F was 0.7° above normal. It was the ninth month in a row with above average temperatures. There were more days with below average temps than above average, but early in the month we experienced well above normal temperatures, with a 90° reading on the first. A near' record temperature was also reached on the 24 th . Possible sunshine was 10% below normal at 47%. Precipitation was only 0.09" below normal at 3.36". The Region experienced some soaking rains during some periods of the month. October was rather quiet and uneventful as far as the weather was concerned. The average temperature of 50.7° was a scant 0.3° above normal. It was the tenth consecutive month with above average temperatures. It actually was cool early in the month, and that was followed by a warm up from the 23 rd to the 28 th . Precipitation measured 3.30", 0.70" above normal. Yet, there were no heavy rains and precipitation seemed to be well spaced throughout the month. There were a few snowflakes on the 22 nd and 31 st but nothing that was measurable. Possible sunshine was at 46% compared to the normal 50%. Mostly sunny and mostly cloudy days were pretty well evenly split. November was pretty quiet weather wise. The National Weather Service described it as tranquil and uneventful. Both temperature and precipitation were about normal. The average temperature was 39.9°, right at the normal reading. Precipitation was only 0.17" below normal at 3.01". There was only 0.4" of snowfall. Possible sunshine was up 11% from the norm at 40%. For the most part it was a rather benign season in terms of meteorological events affecting the birding. High pressure lingered early, and Hurricane Earl passed by us to the east. October saw the first decent frontal system, and with it there were lots of birds around. There were good numbers of Winter Wrens, kinglets, thrushes, and grassland birds by early October. The banding totals at Braddock Bay Bird Observatory were quite good for these groups of birds. The next frontal system cleaned things out and birds were relatively scarce for a while, but a system in late October brought with it the first Cave Swallows of the year and small numbers of several winter finches into early November. In late November another weak system brought the arrival of the bulk of the Cave Swallows and an increase in waterfowl numbers, primarily in those species that often winter on the lake. The food crop was good, with fruit locally plentiful and good seed crops in the fields. Cones were poor, not boding well for keeping any winter finches around long. Some of the fruit was consumed early and certain fields hosted good numbers of sparrows eating the seeds. Waterfowl again were poor. This trend has continued and may be reaching a low. Goose numbers continued low with the exception of Cackling Goose, which continues to be reported in good numbers since the split, likely primarily 58 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) due to more interest now that they are a separate species. Both puddle and diving duck numbers were low. Canvasback numbers were very low. King Eider was the only real highlight. Loon numbers were low compared with recent years. This was also true for Horned Grebe. Red-necked Grebes were found throughout the season. There were no Northern Gannet reports this season. Records of note among the waders included late Great Egret and Cattle Egrets in late October and November, a continuing trend in recent years. Black Vultures continue to expand, with another increase in reports. Red¬ shouldered Hawks were found throughout the season in expected locations. Rough-legged Hawk numbers built from October to November then dropped off slightly towards the end of the season. Sandhill Cranes continued through the season, with reports from just outside the Region near Savannah and of two birds near' Taylor Marsh in the Town of Richmond, Ontario County. Shorebird habitat was limited, but most expected species were reported. The late sightings in East Barre on 2 November by Dave Tetlow were interesting. There were few gull observations of special interest, but a few kittiwakes were noted and rarer reports included Sabine’s, Black-headed, Franklin's, and Thayer’s Gulls. A Regional high count of five Sabine’s Gulls was reported by Dave Tetlow on 15 September. Tern counts were generally poor. Jaegers were well reported from Hamlin Beach and other locations along the lakefront this season. Long-tailed Jaeger reports continued a trend of nearly annual reporting in the Region going back to our first efforts at intense searching in late summer starting in the late 1990s. The Eurasian Collared-Dove population continued to grow with up to nine being sighted in a single day. This included the group of six consisting of two adults and four juveniles, suggesting that we likely had the first breeding of the species in this Region this summer. Common Nighthawk counts continued very low, but a late Whip-poor-will was a good find for this season. The Chimney Swift maximum at our major fall gathering spot in Greiggsville, Town or York, was down from recent years. There were a number of immature White-eyed Vireo sightings, with a November bird the second latest report for the Region. Philadelphia Vireo numbers were good. Swallow maxima were generally low. The Cave Swallow flight was very interesting this fall. There were several reports, in common with many reports in the Northeast following a major frontal passage from the southwest in late October. Then beginning on 23 November Dave Tetlow picked up another movement, seen by a few others that day, culminating in his counting well over 100 birds in the late afternoon, with many going to roost under bridges along the Lake Ontario Parkway west of Rochester. Dave organized a watch at these sites starting predawn the next morning, and 39 birds were tallied at or leaving these roosts. A couple of days later he located 16 birds that remained at a waste water treatment plant just inland from the Parkway in the Town of Parma, Monroe County until perishing in the cold and snows of early December. Prior to this incursion, 24 November was the late date for the species in this Region. The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 59 Winter Wren numbers were good, as were the numbers of kinglets and thrushes. Two Bicknell’s Thrush were banded at BBBO. There were some good concentrations of Gray-cheeked, Swainson’s and Hermit Thrushes counted at Hamlin Beach and banded at Manitou. A few Bohemian Waxwings showed up with the passing Cedar Waxwings in November, providing another highlight. It was a mixed bag for warblers Overall totals are well below historical numbers, but we continue to record good variety. There were multiple Orange- crowned reports. Also on the plus side were Magnolia, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-ramped, Bay-breasted, and Blackpoll warblers and Am. Redstart. Golden-winged Warbler went unreported, but this is not really a surprise due to its general population decrease. Four Connecticut Warbler reports were a highlight, with a bird found by Kim Hartquist in Highland Park, Rochester, on 16 October, record-late. Sparrow reports varied widely across species.. There were some excellent concentrations of sparrows in October in a field in Parma. This area is a new addition to the Braddock Bay Fish and Wildlife Management Area. It hosted large numbers of individuals and thirteen total species of sparrows, including Nelson’s Sparrow. There were two other reports of Nelson’s during the season. Fox Sparrow numbers were also very good. Banding totals for White-throated Sparrow were excellent in October, but the numbers dropped rapidly later in the season. White-crowned Sparrow numbers were a bit lower than usual. There were two Dickcissel reports for the season, a typical number. Learning the distinctive call note is a huge aid to detecting this species. Most of the reports in the Region are of birds flying over calling. The blackbird flight witnessed in Savannah at Marten Tract by the NYSOA Young Birder’s Club in October was spectacular, with a continuous stream of birds for a significant amount of time. A record late Bobolink was found by Dave Tetlow in a newly preserved field in Parma. Winter Finches put in an appearance during the season, with Pine Grosbeak, both crossbills, Common Redpoll, and Evening Grosbeak all reported in small numbers. Purple Finch numbers were low. I saved the rarities for last. The bird of the season was a Lewis’s Woodpecker in the Town of Richmond, Ontario County, a first Regional record and only the fifth State record. Many saw this cooperative bird. Not far behind in rarity was a Gray Kingbird, the third Regional record, discovered in the Town of Savannah by Dominic Sherony and seen by many. Dave Tetlow’s Boreal Chickadee at Hamlin Beach on 23 October was the first in the Region in a number of years. It occurred as part of a big movement of Black-capped Chickadees which saw over 1000 banded at the Kaiser-Manitou banding station over only a few days around this date. September’s species total reached 213. This was nearly 10 species above the 10-year average. October topped out at 205 species, far eclipsing the 10-year average of 186.4. November totaled 146 species, 6.8 species above the 10-year average. Species for the year was almost identical to the 10-year average at 291. 60 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) CONTRIBUTORS Jim Adams, Janet Akin, Andrew Baksh, Jessie Barry, Jim & Liz Barry, Bob Beal, Doug Beattie, Lynn Bergmeyer, Barry Bermudez; Shawn Billerman, John Boettcher, Elizabeth (Betsy) Brooks - BBBO, Lynn Braband, George Briggs, Bruce & Mary Ann Cady, Doug Cameron, Brad Carlson, Nancy Casper, Gary Chapin, Nancy Chen, Jill Church, Kelly Close, Willie D’Anna, Kathleen Dalton. Steve Daniel, Doug Daniels, Mike Davids, Kurt Fox, Kenny Frisch, Andy Garland, William Gillette, Sheryl Gracewski, Jay Greenberg, Kevin Griffith & Colleen Dox-Griffith, Andy Guthrie, Bob Guthrie, Richard Guthrie, Helen & Chris Haller, Meena Haribal, David & Vanna Harding, Kim Hartquist, K Hernberg, Emily Hill, Carolyn Jacobs, Fred Jordan, Ryan Kayhart, Dave Kennedy, Jim Kimball, Kathy Kirsch, Leona Lauster, Greg Lawrence, Fred Lawrence, Jerry Lazarcyzk, Tim Lenz, Joan Lindberg, James Maley, Cindy Marino, Pat Martin, Bob & Sandy Mauceli, Robert & Chita McKinney, Jim Miller, Kent Millham, Joe Mitchell, Frank Moorehouse, Celeste Morien, NYSOA Young Birders Club, Phil Opdycke, Tim Phillips, Norma Platt, Betsy Potter, Jay Powell, David Prill, RBA Field trips, Carolyn Ragan, Jennifer Rycenga, Dominic Sherony, Joe Slattery, Judy Slein, Robert & Susan Spahn, Dave Spier, Michael Stewart, A1 & Di Stout, Kimberly Sucy, June Summers, William Symonds, Steve Taylor, Joyce Testa, David Tetlow, Michael & Joann Tetlow, Don & Donna Traver, Chris Villone, Mike Wasilco, Ann & Joe Watson, Brenda Williamson, Windbirders Muckrace Team (Bill Gillette, Kevin Griffith, Bob Spahn, & Kinsley Whittum), Chris Wood, Martha Zettel. ABBREVIATIONS b - banded; AL - T Albion, ORLE; AT - Auburn Trail, T Victor, MONR; BA - Burrows- Audubon Nature Center, T Victor, MONR; BB - Braddock Bay, T Greece, MONR; BR - end of Broadway Rd, T Wolcott, WAYN; C - T Carlton, ORLE; CL - Conesus Lake, Inlet, LIV1; CU -T Cuylerville, L1V1; Durand-Eastman park. MONR; EB - T East Barre, ORLE; G - T Greece, MONR; GE - T of Geneseo, LIV1; GR - Grieggsville, T York, LIVl; H - T Hamlin, MONR; HB - Hamlin Beach State Park, MONR; HHS - Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area, ONTA; HP - Hogan Point, T Greece, MONR; IB - Irondequoit Bay T Irondequoit, MONR; ICW - Island Cottage Woods, T Greece, MONR; K - T Kendall. ORLE; M - Manitou, MONR; MAC - Montezuma Audubon Center. T Savannah, WAYN; MP - Mendon Ponds County Park, T Mendon, MONR; O - T Ontario, WAYN; OB - Ontario Beach, Charlotte, MONR; OC - Oatka Creek Park, T Wheatland, MONR; P - T Parma, MONR; PE - Town Perinton, MONR; PI - T Pittsford, MONR; R — City of Rochester, MONR; S - T Savannah, WAYN; SP - Sodus Pt, WAYN; W - T Webster, MONR. WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES Snow Goose: arr 2 H 12 Oct; max 250 S 21 Nov. Brant: max 126 G 3 Oct; last 1 IB 24 Nov. Cackling Goose: max 13 W 3-8 Sep (BW). Trumpeter Swan: max 17 S 24 Nov. Tundra Swan: arr 6 G 8 Nov; max 82 CL 28 Nov. Gadwall: max 36 G 2 Nov. Blue-winged Teal: max 100+ S 7 Sep; last 3 BB 3 Nov. N. Pintail: max 184 HB 6 Oct. Green-winged Teal: max 85 S 12 Nov. Redhead: arr 5 BB 17 Sep. Ring-necked Duck: arr 1 BB 12 Sep. Greater Scaup: arr 2 HB 10 Sep; max 420 BR 19 Nov. Lesser Scaup: arr 3 HB 10 Sep; max 360 G 16 Nov. King Eider: arr 1 fcm Pultneyville, WAYN 24 Sep (MT>; I HB 24 Nov (DT). Surf Scoter: arr 1 HB 25 Sep. White-winged Scoter: max 124 HB 1 Oct. Long-tailed Duck: max 363 HB 17 Nov. The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 61 ButTlehead: arr 9 HB 19 Oct; max 82 Honeoye Lake 7 Nov. Com. Goldeneye: arr 2 HB 9 Oct; max 135 HB 19 Nov. Ruddy Duck: max 43 Honeoye Lake & G 7 Nov, Red-throated Loon: an- 2 HB 25 Sep; max 117 HB 24 Nov. Com. Loon: max 625 HB 14 Oct. Horned Grebe: arr 3 HB 21 Sep; max 137 BR 12 Nov. Red-necked Grebe: 1-5 HB all Sep, unusual in Sep; max 141 HB 16 Nov. Double-crested Cormorant: max 1100 G 10 Oct (Ji &LB). Great Egret: last 1 S 12-13 Nov (DT, SB, TL). Cattle Egret: an-1 Honeoye Falls, MONR 29 Oct (BC); last 1 County Line Road, MONR/WAYN 3-9 Nov (CV, mob). Green Heron: last S 17 Sep. Black-crowned Night-Heron: last 1 G 1 Oct. Turkey Vulture: max 68 T Rush MONR 4 Nov. BLACK VULTURE: 1 GE 5 Sep (JK); 1 W 18 Sep (DT); 2 PE 15 Oct (GC). HAWKS-ALCIDS Osprey: last 1 T Murray, ORLE 29 Oct.l Honeoye Creek WMA N. Goshawk: 1 imm G 22 Sep (RS); 1 HB 26 Oct (DS); 1 G 29 Oct (KG); I Honeoye Creek WMA 1 Nov (DT). Red-shouldered Hawk: 2 Canadice 11 Sep (CJ); 1 Letchworth State Park, LIVI, WYOM 14 Oct (JA); 1 HHS 1 Nov, areas where they breed. Red-tailed Hawk (B.j. calarus): 1 H 21 Nov (DT), Rough-legged Hawk: arr 1 P 13 Oct; total 56 sev all Nov. Golden Eagle: 1 SB WAYN 27 Oct (MT). Merlin: total 6 sev all Sep; total 18 sev all Oct; total 3 sev all Nov. Peregrine Falcon: total 8 sev all Sep; total 11 sev all Oct: total 4 sev all Nov. Com. Moorhen: last I PE 16 Oct. Sandhill Crane: max 5 S 19 Sep; 2 T Richmond ONTA thru (FJ, et al). Am. Golden-Plover: max 105 HB 9 Sep; last 5 EB 2 Nov (DT). Semipahuated Plover: last 1 EB 2 Nov (DT). Killdeer: max 300+ CU 1 Sep (JK). Spotted Sandpiper: last 1 OC 6 Oct. Solitary Sandpiper: last I BB 28 Oct. Greater Yellowlegs: last IB 24 Nov (KH). Upland Sandpiper: last 1 H 8 Sep. Whimbrel: 1 HB 3 Sep (DT); 1 K 26 Sep (WD'A, BP, CM). Hudsonian Godwit: an 1 HB 10 Oct (AG); last 1 BB 19 Oct. Ruddy Turnstone: last 1 FIB 7 Oct. Least Sandpiper: last 1 EB 2 Nov. White-rumped Sandpiper: an 3 G 28 Sep; last 3 EB 2 Nov (DT). Baird’s Sandpiper: last 1 EB 2 Nov (DT). Pectoral Sandpiper: last 11 S 12 Nov. Purple Sandpiper: arr 1 Summerville Pier, T Irondequoil, MONR 3 Nov (GL); 1 IB 26 Nov. (AGa). Dunlin: max 300+ IB 29 Oct (KH); last 4 G 16 Nov. Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 1 H 5-6 Sep (AGu, RS); 1 CU 15 Sep (JK); 4 HB 21 Sep (RS). DOWITCHER SPECIES: LAST 7 HP 5 OCT (GL). Wilson’s Snipe: last EB 2 Nov. Am. Woodcock: last 1 T Sodus, WAYN 12 Nov. Red Phalarope: arr 1 IB 22 Oct (AGa). phalarope species: 1 G 1 Sep (LB). Black-legged Kittiwake: an 1 HB 9 Oct (DT); limm 29 Oct Bear Creek, WAYN (DSh); 1 BR 12 Nov (DT). SABINE’S GULL: 5 HB 15 Sep (DT, DS), Reg record high. Black-headed Gull: limm G 21 Oct (GL). Franklin’s Gull: l imm HB 25 Sep (AGu). Thayer’s Gull: arr 1 1 st cycle IB 27 Nov (RS). Iceland Gull: an 2 nd cycle IB 27 Nov. Lesser Black-backed Gull: lad PE 21 Oct; 2ad Elba, GENE 23 Oct; total 3 sev all Nov. Caspian Tern: last 1 G 9 Oct. Black Tern: last 1 HB 10 Sep. Com. Tern: max 81 HB 4 Sep (MD, WS, RS); last 2 HB 12 Oct. Forster’s Tern: last 1 HB 4 Sep (MD, WS, RS). Pomarine Jaeger: 1 HB 3 Sep (MD, WS); 1 HB 4 Sep (MD, WS, RS); 1 HB 9 Oct (AGu); 1 HB 30 Oct (AGu), dark. Parasitic Jaeger: an 2 HB 10 Sep (AG, RS); 1 HB 16 Sep (AGu, R&SS); 1 HB 17 Sep (R&SS); 1 HB 18 Sep (AGu, RG); 1 HB 20 Sep (RG); 1 HB 1 Oct (RS); 1 BB 5 Oct (KG); max 11 HB 12 Oct (AGu); 1 HB 12 Oct (RS); 1 HB 16 Oct (RS); 2 HB 20 Oct (RS); 1 G 28 Oct (GL); 1 HB 30 Oct (AGu), It/inter. Long-tailed Jaeger: 1 HB 21 Sep (RS); last 1 G 9 Oct (Ji &LB). jaeger species: 1 HB 4 Sep (MD, WS, RS); 1 HB 10 Sep (AGu, RS); 1 HB 18 Sep (AGu, RG); 1 HB 25 Sep (AGu); 2 HB 9 Oct (AGu). 62 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS Eurasian Collared-Dove: 1-9 all season P, H; 6 (2ad, 4 yg) H 14 Oct (AGu); max 9 P 22 Nov (DT). Yellow-billed Cuckoo: last 2 W 10 Oct. Short-eared Owl: arr 1 H 12 Oct- N. Saw-whet Owl: last l DE 14 Nov (GC). Com. Nighthawk: max 16 R 7 Sep (DP). Whip-poor-will: lb M 10 Sep, rarerly reported in fall migration. Chimney Swift: max 450 GR 10 Sep (JK); last 17 GR 8 OcL Ruby-throated Hummingbird: last 1 M 5 Oct. LEWIS’S WOODPECKER: 1 ad 30 OCT thru T Richmond, ONTA (mob), first Reg record. FLYCATCHERS - WAXWINGS Olive-sided Flycatcher: arr 1 G 9 Sep. E. Wood-Pewee: last I WAYN 6 Oct. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: last lb M 20 Sep. Acadian Flycatcher: last lb M 8 Sep. Willow Flycatcher: last 1 G 12 Sep. Least Flycatcher: last 1 HB 23 Sep. empidonax species: last 1 R 1 Oct. Great Crested Flycatcher: last 1 OC14 Sep. E. Kingbird: last 1 Port Gibson, ONTA 5 Sep. GRAY KINGBIRD: 1 S 23 Oct (DS), 3 rd Reg record. N. Shrike: arr I M 8. Oct. White-eyed Vireo: 1 imm BA 15 Sep (SD, JP); 1 HB 16 Sep (R&SS); lb M 10 Nov (BBB), 2 nd latest Reg. Yellow-throated Vireo: last 1 OC 17 Sep. Blue-headed Vireo: last 1 R 17 Oct. Warbling Vireo: last 1 BB 2 Oct. Philadelphia Vireo: last lb M 26 Sep. Red-eyed Vireo: 83b M 111 Sep; last 1 M 17 Oct. Horned Lark: max 65 K 21 Nov. Purple Martin: last 10 S 11 Sep. Tree Swallow : max 800 S 2 Oct. N. Rough-winged Swallow: last 5 S 19 Oct. Bank Swallow: last 1 M 3 Oct. Cliff Swallow: last 1 S20ct. CAVE SWALLOW: arr 1 HB 23 Oct (DT); 1 HB 27 Oct (AGu); 35 HB 23 Nov (DT); 35 G 23 Nov (GL); 1 H 23 Nov (AGu); 111 K 23 Nov (DT), going west; 30 K 23 Nov (DT), later going east; 110 K-BB 23 Nov (DT) roosting under bridges; 39 K-BB 24 Nov (mob); 3 M 25 Nov (DT) heading west; 1 BB 25 Nov (DT), roosting under a bridge; 16 P 25 Nov thru (DT), at waste treatment plant; see note, this issue. Black-capped Chickadee: max 410b M 20 Oct (BBBO). BOREAL CHICKADEE: arr! HB 23 Oct (DT). House Wren: last 1 S 5 Oct. Winter Wren: arr 2 M, S 11 Sep, 32b M 11-30 Sep; max 43b M 12 Oct. Sedge Wren: last 1 HP 12-13 Oct (KG, GL). Golden-crowned Kinglet: max 45b M 12 Oct. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: arr 4b M 11 Sep; max 54b M 2 Oct; last 2 G 21 Nov. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: last 1 ICW 7 Sep. Gray-cheeked Thrush: arr lb M 7 Sep; max 26b M 23 Sep; last 1 HB 10 Oct. BICKNELL’S THRUSH: lbM 18 Sep; IbM 10 Oct (BBO). Sw ainson’s Thrush: max 21b M 26 Sep; last lb& 1 M & T Ontario, WAYN 6 Oct. Hermit Thrush: arr 1 M 15 Sep; max 31 HB 12 Oct. Wood Thrush: last l Chimney Bluffs, WAYN 9 OcL Am. Robin: max 5250 BR 12 Nov (DT); 1 HB 29 Nov (RS), albino. Gray Catbird: total 3 sev 1-10 Nov. Am. Pipit: max 400+ CU 23 Oct; last 1 HB 23 Nov. Bohemian Waxwing: air 1 HB 3 Nov (DT); 2 BR 12 Nov (DT); 1 W 15 Nov (GC); 75+ K 23 Nov (DT). Cedar Waxwing: max 1590 BR 12 Nov (DT). LONGSPURS - WARBLERS Lapland Longspur: arr 1 HB 15 Sep. Snow Bunting: arr 1 H 5 Oct; max 320 G 12 Nov. Blue-w inged Warbler: last 1 M 5 Sep. “Brewster’s” Warbler: last 1 b M 8 Sep. Tennessee Warbler: last lb M 7 Oct. Orange-crowned Warbler: arr lb M 21 Sep; 1 H 23 Sep; 2 P 13 Oct; 1 BB 18 Oct; lb M 26 Oct. Nashville Warbler: last 1 Northampton Park, MONR 30 Oct. N. Parula: last 1 Stopover Transect 30 4 Oct. Yellow Warbler: last 1 CL 23 Sep. Chestnut-sided Warbler: last 2b M 23 Sep. Magnolia Warbler: max 82b M 11 Sep; last 1 M 14 Oct. Cape May Warbler: last 1 M 14 Oct. Black-throated Blue Warbler: last 1 PI 26 Oct. Black-throated Green Warbler: last 1 PE 7 Oct. Blackburnian Warbler: last 1 ICW 21 Sep. Prairie Warbler: last 1 M 23 Sep. Palm Warbler: arr 1 M 9 Sep; last 1 S M 2 Oct.. Bay-breasted Warbler: last 1 OC 9 Oct. The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 63 Blackpoll Warbler: max 29b M 7 Oct; last 4 BB 17 Oct. Black-and-white Warbler: last 1 Stopover Transect 117 4 Oct Aru. Redstart: last lb M 11 Oct. Ovenbird: last 1 M 26 Sep. N. Waterthrush: last 1 M 26 Sep. Connecticut Warbler: lb M 2 Sep (BBBO); 1 M 11 Sep (DT); 1 AT 16 Sep (SD); 1 R 16 Oct (KH), record late. Mourning Warbler: last I M 22 Sep. Hooded Warbler: last lb M 25 Sep. Wilson’s Warbler: last lb M 25 Sep. Canada Warbler: last lb M 11 Sep. TANAGERS-WEAVERS E. Towhee: last 1 HB 29 Nov. Am. Tree Sparrow: arr 1 BB 2 Oct. Vesper Sparrow: last 1 AL 16 Nov. Savannah Sparrow: last 1 AL 16 Nov. Nelson’s Sparrow: arr 1 S 10 Oct (NC); 1 HP 12 Oct (KG, GL); 1 P 13 Oct (DT). Fox Sparrow: arr lb M I Oct; last 1 G 21 Nov. Song Sparrow: max 638 P 13 Oct (DT). Lincoln's Sparrow: last 1 M 14 Oct. Swamp Sparrow: max 81 P 13 Oct (DT). White-throated Sparrow: arr lbM 10 Sep; max 175b M 1 Oct; total 1459b M 10 Sep-16 Nov. White-crowned Sparrow: an - 2 PI 17 Sep. Scarlet Tanager: last 1 R 3 Oct. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: last I AT 7 Oct. Indigo Bunting: last 1 CU 2 Oct. Dickcissel: 1 H 26 Oct (AGu): 1 HB 3 Nov (DT). Bobolink: last 1 P 3 Nov (DT), Reg record late. Red-winged Blackbird: max 90,000 S 23 Oct (NYSOA YBC). Eastern Meadowlark: last 1 H 13 Nov. Rusty Blackbird: max 18 ICW 2 Nov (GL). Com. Grackle: max 812,947 S 23 Oct (NYSOA YBC). Brown-headed Blackbird: max 698 S 23 Oct (AB). Baltimore Oriole: last 1 Mt. Morris, LIVI2 Oct. Pine Grosbeak: 1 G 9 Nov (DT), only report. Red Crosshill: arr 1 BR 12 Nov (DT). White-winged Crossbill: arr 2 M 8 Nov (DT). Evening Grosbeak: arr 3 T Sodus, WAYN 30 Oct (JM). REGION 3—FINGER LAKES Tom Johnson 150 Triphammer Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850 tbj4@cornell.edu Weather metrics were fairly typical during this fall migration season. Average temperatures during September, October, and November were very close to the long term averages for those months. Though rainfall in September and November was close to the long term average, 3.34” in September and 3.10" in November, October was way off the charts with a 7.02" total, 3.78" of that on the 1 st of that month. Overall, October more than doubled its normal precipitation total of 3.23" this year. No snow was recorded during the fall season. Weather data used in this report come from the Northeast Regional Climate Center at Cornell University at: http://www.nicc.cornell.edu/climate/itliaca/index.html. The unusual part of the weather story that doesn’t necessarily come out in a brief look at temperature and precipitation is the strong pattern of back-to-back cold fronts and accompanying northwest winds this fall. Perhaps due in part to this train of fronts, birders across eastern North America will remember this season for its interesting migration phenomena and high volume of rarities. 64 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) This fall was a season full of top-notch rarities in the Region. Headliners include King Eiders, Pacific Loon, Little Blue Heron, “Western” Red-tailed Hawk, Cattle Egrets, Purple Gallinule, Ruff, Red Knot, Little Gull, and Franklin's Gull. Overall, reports of uncommon waterfowl were down this season, though all of the expected species were reported, including Cackling, Ross’s, and Greater White-fronted Geese. Reports of Eurasian Wigeon in particular were down this fall, with one at Montezuma NWR on 9 October. Typically, several are found during fall migration in the Montezuma area, though spring, especially March, is the peak time for the species here. Amazingly, two King Eiders were found this season. An apparent first cycle male stayed at Seneca Lake State Park 12-16 November. The other was a second cycle, or possibly older, male that appealed at Myers Point, Lansing during this season and lingered into the winter quarter, providing close studies for many excited birders. There wasn’t a wider pattern of inland King Eiders that seemed unusual this year; I think die occurrence of these two birds in the same season was just a matter of coincidence. Seemingly an annual occurrence in the Region now, Pacific Loon was reported twice this season on Cayuga Lake along with strong numbers of Common Loons. It is unclear if the two reports refer to the same individual, especially since multiple individuals of this species have been documented in previous years. Two reports of Eared Grebe came from Stewart Park, Ithaca this season, almost a month apart. I see no reason why these didn’t represent two different migrant individuals, especially since Stewart Park is one of the best- covered birding locations anywhere, and it seems unlikely for one to go unreported for such a long interval. A very nice report from the western part of the Region, an Eared Grebe was seen at Branchport on Keuka Lake on 18 September. Fitting in with a major flight of Cattle Egrets to the north of their normal range this fall, a flock of 17 was observed flying around Ithaca on 27 October. Other rare waders this season included a juvenile Little Blue Heron and an unidentified p legadis ibis (Glossy/ White-faced) at Montezuma NWR. One of the rarest birds found in the Region this fall was certainly the dark morph “Western” Red-tailed Hawk seen by multiple observers and photographed by Chris Wood in Ovid. Though dark morph Red-tailed Hawks are reported nearly annually in New York, it is quite rare for supporting documentation to surface. Montezuma NWR and its birders were simply on fire this fall. Regular coverage of the Main Pool, Tscache Pool, Mays Point Pool, and Knox-Marcellus Marsh produced lots of interesting records, including several truly rare birds for the Region. Kevin McGowan found and photographed a first cycle Purple Gallinule in dense vegetation along the auto loop. Although this bird proved very difficult to relocate, the same habitat proved to be highly beneficial for other migrant rallids, including Common Moorhen, Virginia Rail, and Sora. The Knox-Marcellus impoundments continued to be great bird attractors following the summer’s draw-down. While overall numbers of shorebirds decreased The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 65 substantially from the bonanza of July and August, diversity increased and several rare shorebirds were found. A juvenile Ruff and a Red Knot found on 6 September were the major highlights and were nicely photographed. Additionally, a Franklin's Gull was a great discovery on 8 September while observers were following up on the Ruff and Red Knot finds of two days prior! Landbird reports this season were strong as usual, but did not include nearly as many rarities as the non-passerine list. Observers found lots of the uncommon migrants, including a strong tally of four Connecticut Warblers. The paucity of fall Connecticut Warbler reports from the Finger Lakes has surprised me over the past five years, with only one or two reports typical each year. I think this is more related to the species’ secretive nature and the vast amounts of appropriate stopver habitat in the Region rather than to any actual distribution anomaly. The nights of 8-9 September and 10-11 September marked two of the heaviest nocturnal flights during this fall’s migration. Many observers noted a big thrush flight, with smaller numbers of warblers and sparrows moving as well. Several late landbirds were discovered this fall. Chris Wood found a Black-billed Cuckoo on 7 October at Hog Hole, Ithaca. Tim Lenz photographed a Purple Martin on 26 September at MNWR; this is the latest Regional date recorded for the species in eBird. Finally, on 12 November, France Dewaghe discovered a Baltimore Oriole at Sapsucker Woods in Ithaca/ Dryden. Finches were lightly represented, but all expected species were found. A minor Pine Siskin flight developed, with birds arriving in the end of September and building through October and November. Data and sightings compiled in this report are derived from two main sources, the Cayugabirds-L email listserv and eBird, but are really the product of lots of great birders who are excited about sharing information and sightings about the Region’s birds. Because I am not currently living and birding in the Finger Lakes Region, this will be my last report as Regional Editor, at least for now. I would like to thank all of the wonderful birders and ornithologists that I have met and been privileged to know over the last five years, including those in the fantastic community that surrounds Cornell University and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. CONTRIBUTORS Jessie Barry, Shawn Billerman, Chris Dalton, France Dewaghe, Benjamin Freeman, Jeff Gerbracht, Chuck Gibson, Jane Graves, John Greenly, John and Sue Gregoire, Bob Guthrie, Wes Hochachka, Marshall Iliff, Andy Johnson, Anne Marie Johnson, Steve Kelling, David Kennedy, Gaiy Kohlenberg, Martjan Lammertink, Leona Lauster, Tim Lenz, Bob McGuire, Matt Medler, Ann Mitchell, Ed Norman, David Nicosia, Dave Nutter (DN), Bruce Packard, Jay Powell, Tom Schulenberg, Carolyn Sedgwick, Nathan Senner, Brian Sullivan, Joann Tetlow, Mike Tetlow, Chris Wood (CLW), Matt Young. 66 The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) ABBREVIATIONS MNWR - Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge; MyPt - Myers Point; StP - Stewart Park, Ithaca; SSF - Summerhill State Forest; and SSW - Sapsucker Woods. WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES Trumpeter Swan: MNWR thru; max 18 Lower Lake Rd, Cayuga Lake (DK). Greater White-fronted Goose: an - & max 8 MNWR 8 Oct (M&JT); Dryden Lake 2 Nov (AMJ). Ross’s Goose: arr MNWR 8 Oct (M&JT); max 4 MNWR 10 Oct (TL), Snow Goose: max 4500 MNWR (eBird). Cackling Goose: max 6 MNWR 2 Oct (CLW). Eurasian Wigeon: Tschache Pool MNWR 9 Oct (CLW, JB). KING EIDER: Seneca Lake SP 12-16 Nov; Myers 24 Nov thru (CLW, BM). PACIFIC LOON: Deans Cove 10 Oct (TL); Sheldrake Point 31 Oct (TL). Coin. Loon: max 1290 Cayuga Lake (eBird). Eared Grebe: StP 22 Sep (TL); StP 17 Oct (BF); Branchport 18 Sep (EN, BG), Great Egret: Etna 5 Sep (BP); Dryden Lake 9 Sep (JMc), LITTLE BLUE HERON: MNWR 4-29 Sep (JMc, mob); Myers 6 Sep (CLW). CATTLE EGRET: 17 Ithaca 27 Oct (TL, CD). plegadis sp: MNWR 1-20 Sep HAWKS-ALCIDS “WESTERN” RED-TAILED HAWK: dark morph Ovid 21 Nov (CLW, JB, CS, ML). PURPLE GALLINULE: juv MNWR Main Pool 16 Oct (KMc). Sandhill Crane: MNWR thru. Hudsonian Godwit: MNWR 4-27 Oct (DN). RUFF: Knox-Marcellus MNWR 6-14 Sep (TL). RED KNOT: Knox-Marcellus MNWR 6-11 Sep (TL). Buff-breasted Sandpiper: max 3 Knox- Marcellus MNWR 11 Sep (AJ, TL, MM, JMc). Long-billed Dowitcher: max 17 Mays Point MNWR 26 Sep (TL). Wilson’s Phalarope: Mays Point MNWR 9-10 Sep (.10, KMc); Knox-Marcellus MNWR 14 Sep (JP). Red-necked Phalarope: max 10 Knox- Marcellus MNWR 10 Sep (JMc); StP 21 Oct (DN). Little Gull: 1 st cycle MyPt 14 Oct (JGr). FRANKLIN’S GULL: Knox-Marcellus 8 Sep (MI, TL). Iceland Gull: arr StP 28 Nov (TL). Lesser Black-backed Gull: Dryden 26 Sep (TL). Glaucous Gull: arr StP 28 Nov (TL). PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS Black-billed Cuckoo: 7 Oct Hog Hole Ithaca (CLW), late. Short-eared Owl: max 13 Cayuga Lake Basin 28 Nov (SF). FLYCATCHERS - WAXWINGS Purple Martin: late Tschache Pool MNWR 26 Sep (TL). Bohemian Waxwing: SSW 2-17 Nov (TL). LONGSPURS - WARBLERS Golden-winged Warbler: Monkey Run 5 Sep (CLW). “Lawrences” Warbler: Ellis Hollow 1 Sep (JMc). Orange-crowned Warbler: Hog Hole Ithaca 7 Oct (CLW). CONNECTICUT WARBLER: Caroline 13 Sep (JG); Ithaca 26 Sep (NS): Myers 2 Oct (CLW); Aurora 2 Oct (TL, CLW). TOWHEES-WEAVERS Dickcissel: Myers 14 Sep (CLW). Clay-colored Sparrow: Ithaca 14 Sep (JMc); Ithaca 17 Oct (NS). Nelson’s Sparrow: arr Hog Hole Ithaca 7 Oct (CLW). Baltimore Oriole: SSW 12 Nov (FD), late. Red Crossbill: 5 Ithaca 10 Nov (NS); 6 Caroline 22 Oct (SK). White-winged Crossbill: SSW 10 Nov (WH): Monkey Run, Dryden 18 Nov (CLW). Com. Redpoll: Cornell Plantations 29 Nov (CLW, JB, BS, MI). Pine Siskin: 3 rd week Sep thru; max 55 1 Nov (eBird). Evening Grosbeak: air SSF 25 Oct (MY). The Kingbird 2011 March; 61 (1) 67 REGION 4—SUSQUEHANNA No report for Region 4 was received this season. REGION 5—ONEIDA LAKE BASIN Bill Purcell 281 Baum Road, Hastings, New York, 13076 wpurcell@twcny.rr.com The season was slightly warmer and wetter than normal. The average temperature for September was 63.1° F., 1.8° above normal, with 5.26" precipitation, 1.11" above normal. October's averages were 51.3° F, 1.2° above normal, and 4.10" of precipitation, 0.90" above normal. The November average temperature was 40.8°, 1.1° above normal, with 2.93" of precipitation, 0.84" below normal. Smaller Adirondack lakes were freezing by 25 November. The water level at Delta Lake remained high into September affecting numbers of waterfowl, especially teal, shorebirds, and Great Egret. Snow Geese were uncommon through the season, waiting for December cold fronts to move through, while Brant numbers were good, with about 4100 moving past Derby Hill over the last half of October. Cackling Geese were reported from three sites. Few Blue-winged Teal were noted away from Howland Island, and, overall, counts of dabbling and diving ducks were not high even though there was good opportunity for migration on and following several October cold fronts. There was only a single Canvasback reported, and the large flock of scaup and Common Goldeneye seen in recent years at the east end of Oneida Lake never materialized. There was a record count of Black Scoters on Onondaga Lake and one good flight of White-winged Scoters at Derby Hill. Red-necked Grebes were seen over most of season. Cattle Egrets invaded southern Oneida County as Jody Hildreth found at least three, and possibly as many as five, in late October. Single Black-crowned Night-Herons were seen at three locations. The prevailing northwest winds this season did little to concentrate southbound hawks moving through our area. Two of the best days for raptors came on south winds at Derby Hill; on 3 September a juvenile Mississippi Kite came by with several other species of dispersing hawks and on 14 November ten Rough-legged Hawks moved past. Three Golden Eagles were reported over the season, while Merlin and Peregrine Falcon were reported in expected numbers. Common Moorhen and American Coot were the only rails found, and the single Sandhill Crane report was from Howland Island, adjacent to a Region 2 breeding site. Other than our sod farm and the Lake Ontario barrier beach, there was not much shorebird habitat, and counts for most species were low. Buff¬ breasted Sandpiper at the sod farm and Purple Sandpiper at Fair Haven were at 68 The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) their usual locations, and two Red Phalaropes were spotted on Lake Ontario. Red Knot was missed this year. Little Gull was seen several times, and one was in southern Madison County where the small lakes and reservoirs can attract and hold migrants. All three jaeger species were reported this season, with Parasitic Jaeger seen on many days and three Long-tailed Jaegers reported on 16 October at Derby Hill. A report was filed with NYSARC for the sighting. Lesser Black-backed and Iceland Gulls were found at the Madison County landfill, and Glaucous Gulls were seen at Derby Hill. Cave Swallows arrived with the typical weather pattern in late October. A Regional record of 21 came past Derby Hill on 26 October, and lingering birds were seen into November. The poor cone crop prompted Red-breasted Nuthatch to move out of northern breeding areas. Tom Salo found none at the east end of Stillwater Reservoir over three days in November, although he did have 2 Gray Jays there. Ken Burdick reported juvenile Least Flycatcher and a Warbling Vireo begging for food at Fair Haven as late as 19 September. More people spent time looking for warblers this fall than in recent years, and there were many reports of the common migrants. A Yellow-throated Warbler and a late Wilson's Warbler were found during a NYSOA field trip in October, and a carefully described Prothonotary Warbler was found in Syracuse. Sparrow migration was mostly unremarkable except for Vesper Sparrow numbers along Lake Ontario. A male Yellow-headed Blackbird was a nice find on Howland Island during the Montezuma Muckrace. The single White-winged Crossbill was a long way from any substantial cone crop, while Common Redpolls were just getting here by season's end. Pine Siskins, mostly in small flocks, came through starting in mid-October and had peaked by mid-November. Evening Grosbeaks were appearing at higher elevations in November. A total of 235 species was seen this season, seven species more than the recent ten year average. Highlights included: Cattle Egret, Mississippi Kite, Red Phalarope, Long-tailed Jaeger, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Cave Swallow, Bohemian Waxwing, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Yellow¬ headed Blackbird, and Evening Grosbeak. CONTRIBUTORS Betty Armbruster, Faith Baker, Dave Baldrini; Brenda Best, Sue Boettger, Donald Brightsmith, Joseph Brin, Ken Burdick, Andrea Burke, Tom Carrolan, Bemie Carr, Gerald Case, Richard Cohen, Greg Dashnau, Mary Dreiling, Dave Graham, Bill Gruenbaum, Jody Hildreth, Gene Huggins, Mary Alice Koeneke, Glenn Koppel, Gary Lee, Dawn Matzke, Kevin McGann, David Nash, Kevin Pace, Matt Perry, Bill Purcell, Paul Richardson, Ken Rosenberg, Margaret Rusk, Tom Salo (TSa), Linda Salter, Fred Sears, Mickey Scilingo, Tony Shrimpton, Gerald Smith, Chris Spagnoli, Maureen Staloff, Jim Tarolli, Judy Thurber, Andrew Van Norstrand, David Wheeler, Lisa Welch, Brian White, Tim Whitens, Andrea Wiggins, Judy Wright, Matt Young, Ken Zoller. The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) 69 ABBREVIATIONS BRH - Bishop Road Hawk Watch, T Richland; CM - Clay Marsh; DH - Derby Hill; Dvl - Durhamville; FH - Fair Haven, Little Sodus Bay, and vicinity; GLSP - Green Lakes State Park; GSC - Great Swamp Conservancy, n. MADI; HI - Howland Island WMA; MCL - Madison County landfill, T Lincoln; NMP - Nine Mile Point, T's Scriba and New Haven; OneiL - Oneida Lake; OnonL - Onondaga Lake; SHF - Sky High Sod Farms, T Sullivan; SFNS - Spring Farm Nature Sanctuary, Kirkland; Skan - Skaneateles; SL - T's Sullivan & Lenox mucklands; SPd - Sandy Pond; SVB - Sylvan and Verona Beach; Syr - Syracuse; TR - Three Rivers WMA; UM - Utica Marsh; VB - Van Buren; WM - West Monroe; WPd - Woodman Pond, Hamilton, WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES Snow Goose: arr OnonL 14 Sep; 31 WPd 6 Oct; max 58 Skan 28 Nov. Brant: max 1985 DH 16 Oct; 30 W Winfield 4 Oct, unusual inland. Cackling Goose: VB 11 Oct; 2 WPd 25 Oct; FH 31 Oct. Mute Swan: max 18 FH 19 Oct. Tundra Swan: max 103 OneiL 18 Nov. Wood Duck: max 440 WM 5 Sep. Gad wall: max 21 DH 27 Nov. Am. Wigeon: max 50 FH 20 Nov. Am. Black Duck: max 202 DH 16 Oct. Blue-winged Teal: max 65 HI 11 Sep; last UM 25 Nov, N. Shoveler: max 25 FH 7 Nov. N. Pintail: max 82 DH 25 Sep. Green-winged Teal: max 24 UM 25 Nov. Canvasback: WPd 9 Nov, only report. Redhead: arr 3 FH 16 Oct; max 17 Skan 28 Nov. Ring-necked Duck: max 148 Tully 29 Oct. Greater Scaup: max 45 DH 27 Nov. Lesser Scaup: max 80 OnonL 9 Nov. King Eider: DH 26 Nov ( KM). Surf Scoter: max 15 DH 28 Oct. White-winged Scoter: max 424 DH 16 Oct. Black Scoter: max 200 OnonL 6 Nov (PR). Long-tailed Duck: arr DH 16 Oct; max 423 DH 20 Nov. Bufflehead: max 58 Skan L 31 Oct. Com. Goldeneye: air DH 30 Oct; max 72 OneiL 18 Nov. Hooded Merganser: max 100 Hatch L 28 Nov. Com. Merganser: max 214 Tuscorora L 29 Nov, Red-breasted Merganser: max 230 DH 30 Oct. Ruddy Duck: max 50 WPd 18 Nov. N. Bobwhite: GSC 8 Sep, 26 Oct, probable release. Red-throated Loon: max 11 DH 20 Nov. Com. Loon: max 106 DH 20 Nov. Pied-billed Grebe: max 7 WPd 1 Oct. Horned Grebe: arr 2 DH 25 Sep; max 67 Sterling 14 Nov. Red-necked Grebe: arr 2 DH 14 Sep; max 7 OnonL 9 Nov. Double-crested Cormorant: max 290 Oswego 30 Oct. Great Egret: reports from 9 sites; last W Winfield 7 Oct. Cattle Egret: 2 Sauquoil 26 Oct; Marshall 27 Oct; 3 Waterville 29 Oct (all JH). Green Heron: max 21 WM 5 Sep; last 2 W Winfield 2 Oct. Black-crowned Night-Heron: VB 4 Sep; SPd 18 Sep; OnonL 24 Oct. Turkey Vulture: 71 DH 25 Sep; max 450 BRH 3 Oct. * HAWKS-ALCIDS Osprey: max 18 BRH 17 Sep; last OneiL 16 Nov. MISSISSIPPI KITE: imm DH 3 Sep (TC ph BP, NYSARC). 3d Regional and first fall record. Bald Eagle: max 26 BRH 17 Sep. N. Harrier: max 7 BRH 17 Sep. Sharp-shinned Hawk: max 28 BRH 17 Sep. Cooper’s Hawk: 2/day Sep, max 6 DH 26 Oct. N. Goshawk: BRH 6 Nov. Red-shouldered Hawk: 7 scattered reports. Broad-winged Hawk: max 255 BRH 17 Sep. Red-tailed Hawk: max 43 BRH 6 Nov, Rough-legged Hawk: arr BRH 3 Oct; max 4 Richland 31 Oct and BRH 6 Nov. Golden Eagle: DH 26 Oct; GSC 26 Oct; SFNS 10 Nov. Am. Kestrel: max 11 Richland 24 Sep. Merlin: max 2/day thru; Third L Creek 29 Nov, late for Adks. Peregrine Falcon: BRH 19 Sep; BRH 3 Oct; VB6Nov;FH 11 Nov. Com. Moorhen: max 50 Volney 4 Sep. Am. Coot: max 136 FH 7 Nov. Sandhill Crane: HI 11 Sep, only report. Black-bellied Plover: max 11 SPd 10 Oct. The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) 70 Am. Golden-Plover: max 10 SHF 3 Sep; last DH 28 Oct. Semipalmated Plover: max 8 FH 19 Sep. Killdeer: max 38 SHF 9 Sep. Spotted Sandpiper: last Jamesviile Res 8 Oct. Solitary Sandpiper: last Otisco L 12 Oct. Greater Yellowlegs: max 2/day; last W Winfield 30 Oct. Lesser Yellowlegs: max 4 SPd 18 Sep; last Sauquoit 6 Oct. Ruddy Turnstone: Cicero 18 Sep, only report. Sanderling: max 28 FH 19 Sep; last FH 31 Oct. Semipalmated Sandpiper: max 5 SPd 18 Sep. Least Sandpiper: max 9 SHF 2 Sep; last 2 FH 29 Sep. Baird's Sandpiper: 2 SHF 1-3 Sep. Pectoral Sandpiper: max 2/day. Purple Sandpiper: arr FH 11 Nov;FH 17-20 Nov. Dunlin: max 60 DH 29 Oct; last 2 DH 27 Nov. Stilt Sandpiper: 3 Verona 6 Sep, only report. Buff-breasted Sandpiper: arr SHF 3 Sep; max & last 2 SHF 9 Sep. Short-billed Dowitcher: Cicero 2 Sep, only report. Wilson's Snipe: max 8 Verona 6 Sep. Am. Woodcock: 2 Sep reports; max 3 Verona 20 Oct; W Winfield 30 Oct. Red Phalarope: DH 20, 26 Nov. Black-legged Kittiwake: max 5 DH 20 Nov; DH 26 Nov; 3 DH 27 Nov. Bonaparte's Gull: max 175 OneiL 21 Oct. Little Gull: DH 6 Sep; max 2 DH 29 Oct; DH 27 Nov; Bradley Brook Res 28 Nov (MY), unusual site. Iceland Gull: 2 MCL 18 Nov; Lesser Black-backed Gull: MCL 18 Nov. Glaucous Gull: 2 DH 27 Nov. Caspian Tern: max 35 SPd 18 Sep. Black Tern: max 12 DH 4 Sep. Com. Tern: max 65 OneiL 1 Sep; last 2 SVB 20 Oct, Pomarine Jaeger: DH 27 Nov. Parasitic Jaeger: 5 DH 5 Sep; 19 DH 25 Sep; 5 DH 7 Oct; DH 20 Nov. LONG-TAILED JAEGER: 3 DH 16 Oct (BP, KMNYSARC). PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS Black-billed Cuckoo: Skan 12 Sep; Clay Marsh 13 Sep. N. Saw-whet Owl: W Winfield 22 Nov. Com. Nighthawk: max 7 WM 5 Sep; last HI 11 Sep. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: last DH 25 Sep. Red-headed Woodpecker: Lysander 2 Sep, only report. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: max 4/day Oct. Black-backed Woodpecker: Limekiln Swamp 12 Nov; 2 Third L Creek 28 Nov. N. Flicker: max 18 Nelson 28 Sep. FLYCATCHERS - WAXWINGS Olive-sided Flycatcher: Deer Creek WMA 5 Sep. E. Wood-Pewee: max 7 NMP 6 Sep; last Dewitt 6 Oct. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: max 3 Wilmurt 8 Sep; last Dccr Creek WMA 19 Sep. Alder Flycatcher: last Syr 10 Sep. Willow Flycatcher: last Syr 3 Sep. Least Flycatcher: 3 Deer Creek WMA 25 Sep; juv FH 19 Sep. E. Phoebe: last 30 Oct. Great Crested Flycatcher: max 3 HI 11 Sep; last GLSP 18 Oct, late. E. Kingbird: last Hill Sep. N. Shrike: arr SFNS 22 Oct; reports from 5 other sites. Yellow-throated Vireo: last NMP 15 Sep. Blue-headed Vireo: max 3/day to 4 Oct; last 18 Oct. Warbling Vireo: max 7 HI 7 Sep; last Elbridge 29 Sep; juv FH 19 Sep. Philadelphia Vireo: 14 reports 5-25 Sep. Red-eyed Vireo: to 8/day Sep; last Dewitt 6 Oct. Gray Jay: 2 Beaver River Station 11 Nov (TSa). Blue Jay: max 536 Hastings 24 Sep. Am. Crow: max 1117 BRH 6 Nov. Fish Crow: max 8 OnonL 15 Nov; 3 Syr 22 Oct, Com. Raven: max 10 Salisbury 19 Oct. Horned Lark: max 50 Williamstown 28 Nov. Purple Martin: max & last 4 DH 7 Sep. Tree Swallow: last 2 DH 26 Oct. N. Rough-winged Swallow: max & last 12 HI 11 Sep. Bank Sw allow: max 7 SHF 7 Sep; last HI 12 Sep. Cliff Swallow: last SHF 7 Sep. CAVE SWALLOW: max 21 DH 26 Oct (TC, BP. GS), Reg record high; DH 14 Nov (TC, BP); 3 FH 22 Nov (JT): last FH 23 Nov. Barn Swallow: max 40 SHF 7 Sep. Red-breasted Nuthatch: migrants to 6/day Sep. House Wren: max 2/day to 28 Sep; last Manlius 9 Oct. Winter Wren: max 7 Scriba 8 Oct. Marsh Wren: max 6 HI 11 Sep. Golden-crowned Kinglet: max 15/day in Oct. 71 The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) Ruby-crowned Kinglet: arr 15 Sep; max 12/day. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: 4 reports to 11 Sep. Veery: max 4 NMP 6 Sep; last Deer Creek WMA 19 Sep. Gray-cheeked Thrush: NMP 18 Sep; 2 CM 12 Oct. Swainson's Thrush: max 5 Rondaxe L 10 Sep; last CM 12 Oct. Hermit Thrush: max 6 SFNS 17 Oct; last GLSP 27 Nov. Wood Thrush: 9 reports to 20 Sep. Gray Catbird: max 24 Elbridge 26 Sep; last 29 Nov. N. Mockingbird: max 4 Oswego 30 Oct. Brown Thrasher: max 4 SFNS 8 Sep; last CM 12 Oct Am. Pipit: max 200 VB 2 Oct. Bohemian Waxwing: arr SFNS 14 Nov; max 8 Point Rock 19 Nov; Dewitt 21 Nov; DH 20-27 Nov. Cedar Waxwing: max 70 DH 21 Nov. LONGSPURS - WARBLERS Lapland Longspur: 2 BRH 6 Nov; Oswego 29 Nov. Snow Bunting: max 170 Oswego 30 Oct. Blue-winged Warbler: last Hastings 10 Sep. Tennessee Warbler: max 5 HI 11 Sep; last 27 Sep. Orange-crowned Warbler: air Hastings 23 Sep; last SPd 26 Oct. Nashville Warbler: max 4 Hastings 10 Sep; last 2 DH 11 Oct. N. Parula: max 3 OnonL 12 Sep; last SFNS 2 Oct. Yellow Warbler: 6 reports to last Hastings 24 Sep. Chestnut-sided Warbler: max 4 NMP 6 Sep; last Nelson 20 Sep. Magnolia Warbler: max 11 Scriba 6 Sep; last Dvl 4 Oct. Cape May Warbler: 4 reports 6-26 Sep. Black-throated Blue Warbler: max 11 NMP 6 Sep; last CM 12 Oct. Yellow-rumped Warbler: max 30 SL 26 Sep. Black-throated Green Warbler: max 11 HI 11 Sep; last CM 12 Oct. Blackburnian Warbler: max 3 HI 11 Sep; last 26 Sep. Yellow-throated Warbler: FH 23 Oct (MAK, GK, mob). Palm Warbler: arr TR 2 Sep; max 5 OnonL 28 Sep. Bay-breasted Warbler: max 3 NMP 6 Sep; 11 other reports to 24 Sep. Blackpoll Warbler: max 3/day Sep; last 2 SFNS 4 Oct. Black-and-white Warbler: max 18 NMP 6 Sep; last 29 Sep. Am. Redstart: max 14 NMP 6 Sep; last Elbridge 1 Oct. PROTHONOTARY WARBLER: Oakwood Cem Syr 10 Sep (AW!). Ovenbird: max 7 NMP 6 Sep; last TR 2 Oct. N. Waterthrush: last NMP 6 Sep. Mourning Warbler: last Nelson & SFNS 26 Sep. Com. Yellowthroat: last GLSP 30 Oct. Hooded Warbler: 6 reports to 11 Sep. Wilson's Warbler: max 3 SPd 18 Sep, widespread; last FH 23 Oct, late. Canada Warbler: last Oakwood Cem Syr 10 Sep. TOWHEES - WEAVERS E. Towhee: last Constantia 9 Nov. Am. Tree Sparrow: an - Pulaski 16 Oct. Chipping Sparrow: last SFNS 2 Nov. Field Sparrow: last Nelson 28 Oct. Vesper Sparrow: max 18 Richland 29 Oct. Savannah Sparrow: last Syr 25 Oct. Fox Sparrow: max 10 Hasting 29 Oct. Lincoln's Sparrow: max 3 TR 25 Sep; last TR 20 Oct. White-throated Sparrow: max 56 CM 12 Oct. White-crowned Sparrow: arr Hastings 20 Sep; max 18 Salisbury 5 Oct. Dark-eyed Junco: max 150 Dvl 12 Oct. Scarlet Tanager: max 3/day; last SFNS 25 Sep. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: max 18 HI 11 Sep; last 5 SL 26 Sep. Indigo Bunting: max 3 Skan 6 Sep; last TR 2 Oct. Bobolink: max 85 WM 5 Sep; last 2 Tully 17 Sep. YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD: male HI 11 Sep (KM, BP, NYSARC). E. Meadowlark: max 6 Richland 29 Oct. Rusty Blackbird: max 45 DH 26 Oct. Com. Grackle: max 9000 Schroeppel 24 Oct. Brown-headed Cowbird: max 1200 Conquest 19 Sep. Baltimore Oriole: 2 Lysander 2 Sep; last HI 11 Sep. Purple Finch: to 8/day Sep; 15 Nelson 25 Oct; max 50 SFNS 25 Sep. White-winged Crossbill: Skan 15 Nov, at feeder (DG). Com. Redpoll: an- 2 DeRuyter 28 Nov. Pine Siskin: arr SFNS 22 Oct; max 50 Williamstown 29 Oct & 48 Skan 30 Oct. Am. Goldfinch: max 570 DH 26 Oct. Evening Grosbeak: arr Salisbury 10 Oct; max 65 Boylston 21 Nov; widespread s. MADI. The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) 72 REGION 6—ST. LAWRENCE Jeffrey S. Bolsinger 98 State Street, Canton NY 13617 jsbolsinger@yahoo.com According to the Northeast Regional Data Center, Watertown’s mean temperature for September was 62.3° F, or 2.2° warmer than normal, and the month’s total of 4.4" of precipitation was within 0.2" of normal. However, this summary attributes to 1 October the 3.2" of rain that actually fell on 30 September, resulting in a record-high October precipitation total. If not for this one very wet day the first two months of the season would have been only slightly wetter than normal. The relative warmth gradually moderated through the season, as mean monthly temperatures were 1.3° above normal in October and 0.8° warmer than average for November. The last month of the period was also fairly dry, with just 3.3" of precipitation, 1.2" below average. The first snow flakes noted in lowland areas fell 31 October, but the first snow that amounted to anything fell on Thanksgiving weekend. Waterfowl numbers were mixed, with some species present in good numbers but others rather scarce. Numbers of dabbling ducks were particularly low, as I was reminded frequently by several of my duck hunting coworkers. Diving ducks were generally present in good numbers, highlighted by multiple reports of all three scoter species from inland bodies of water. Common Mergansers were an exception, with low numbers at traditional staging areas on the St. Lawrence River, but perhaps they were using different parts of the river, such as Wolfe Island on the Canadian side, where 1 heard late reports of record numbers. Waterfowl rarities include a male Eurasian Wigeon at Wilson Hill WMA for the third consecutive fall and single King Eiders at Montario Point on two dates. Up to five Ruddy Ducks were at Perch River and Upper and Lower Lakes WMAs, good numbers compared with recent years. Among the most notable water birds was Red-throated Loon, a species that is scarcely reported in the Region most years but was seen in modest numbers this season. A report of three Red-throated Loons migrating up the St. Lawrence River past Coles Creek State Park on 1 October was notable, as this species is rarely reported from the river. The best loon tally of the season was the 115 Common Loons that Nick Leone counted off Point Peninsula 16 November. An early September tally of 90 Pied-billed Grebes on Lower Lake is about average, but it should be noted that a complete census of Upper and Lower Lakes WMA would give a much higher count. Both Horned and Red-necked Grebes were seen in modest numbers. Just a few years ago a count of 151 Great Egrets would have been unheard of in the Region, but this tally from the Winthrop Swamp roost is actually slightly lower than last year’s high count. There are no active hawk watches in the Region, and consequently the size and quality of the raptor migration is difficult to assess. For instance, no Broad¬ winged Hawks and only one Red-shouldered Hawk were reported, the latter The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) 73 coming from Point Peninsula, where this species is scarce at any season. But both of these species must have passed through the Region in some numbers in September. Dates with good raptor movements included 1 October, when migrant raptors over or near Fort Drum included one Golden Eagle, three Merlins, and one Peregrine Falcon, and 18 November, when two Golden Eagles passed over Fort Drum. By the end of the season Rough-legged Hawks and other winter raptors were present in modest numbers. A Virginia Rail in Stockholm and a Sora on Fort Drum on successive days were the only report for each species. A raft of more than 100 American Coots was at Wilson Hill WMA for several weeks, but this species was scarce elsewhere. A report of two Sandhill Cranes in Lisbon in early September, with a note that they had probably been present all summer, generated some discussion about the status of this species as a breeder in Region 6. Rumors persist that Sandhill Cranes successfully nested in Lisbon sometime prior to 2005, perhaps predating the first nesting record for New York, but documentation is lacking. Until 2009 there were no summer reports from Lisbon after the rumored nesting attempt, and the suggestion made by at least one person on a listserv that Sandhill Cranes have been nesting in Lisbon “since the early 2000s” is to my knowledge not supported by facts. Once again, low water levels on Lake Ontario provided little shorebird habitat, and few shorebirds were reported. Water levels dropped throughout September until the heavy rains on the 30 th flooded the shoreline and ruined any chances for good late-season shorebirding. In addition to high water, human disturbance is becoming a severe problem at El Dorado, as increasing numbers of visitors to the beach south of the Nature Conservancy preserve seem to view the preserve as part of the public beach. On 10 September 64 Sanderling were at El Dorado, but none of the other 15 or so reports I received from this site included more than 10-20 individuals, mostly of the same few species. Excluding species that breed in the Region, the only other report of double-digit shorebirds from any location was a flock of nearly 90 Dunlin at Wilson Hill WMA on 30 October. The only unusual species of the season were American Golden-Plover, with birds heard at Fort Drum and Indian Creek Nature Center; two White-rumped Sandpipers at El Dorado; and a Baird’s Sandpiper at a farm field along Coles Creek. Among the season’s highlights were several rarely reported gulls, mostly from Lake Ontario. An immature Black-legged Kittiwake was at Montario Point on 20 November, Little Gulls were at Robert G. Wehle State Park in September and Black River Bay in November, and Lesser Black-backed gulls were reported from both Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. None of these species have been reported with any regularity since the Robert Moses Power Dam was made off-limits to visitors in 2001. The only white-winged gull of the season was an Iceland Gull Nick Leone found at Tibbet’s Point 20 November. Regular early morning visits to Whip-poor-will breeding areas on Fort Drum documented calling individuals regularly through 9 September, with the last bird heard on 20 September. Typically Red-headed Woodpeckers depart Fort Drum nesting sites by the last week of September, so this year’s last date of 74 The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) 1 October is slightly later than usual. Red-headed Woodpeckers are often seen in this area during the early fall moving with large numbers of flickers and Blue Jays, but such groups were not noted this year, and no large movements of Northern Flickers were reported anywhere. Instead, flickers remained relatively common and widespread through the end of the period. Compared with 2009, the fall passerine migration was more prolonged and generally more active. Good numbers of flycatchers were reported, including both Willow and Alder Flycatchers identified by call notes. Similarly and somewhat unusually, all of the Region’s breeding swallows except Purple Martin were reported in September. Unfortunately, the season’s biggest miss was the failure, again, of anybody to document Cave Swallow during the now annual northeastern invasion. The timing of the largest incursion to eastern Lake Ontario during mid-week did not help, as apparently none of the Region’s already scarce birders were able to get away from work to watch the Lake Ontario shoreline for swallows. One of the best migratory events of the season came on the nights of 9-10, and 10-11 September, when large numbers of Swainson’s Thrushes were heard passing over Canton. Oddly enough, a visit to Indian Creek Nature Center on 11 September turned up few thrushes and no Swainson’s, but the 20 warbler species seen that day represented the best parulid diversity of the season. Another heavy thrush movement early on the morning of 1 October included large number of both Swainson’s and Gray-cheeked Thrushes, including the season’s heaviest movement of the latter species. The sparrow migration was heaviest during the first week of October, particularly on 7 October, with high counts of Chipping, Lincoln’s, and White-crowned Sparrows. Sadly, one of the few true rarities of the season was a dead Yellow¬ breasted Chat found by David Buckley in his yard. The chat showed no obvious trauma, and the reason for its demise is unclear. The other warbler highlight was a Connecticut Warbler on Fort Drum 5 October, seen well before it vanished into dense underbrush. Notable passerines not previously mentioned include eight Philadelphia Vireos, the last on 18 September, and five Orange- crowned Warblers between 26 September and 17 October. It was generally a modest year for winter irruptives, but Bohemian Waxwings were rather scarce. I kept expecting to see or hear about this species based on reports from other Regions of New York, but only a single report came in by the end of November. Finch numbers were better, beginning with a few Pine Siskins moving in September. Siskins increased in October and by the beginning of November were joined by good numbers of Evening Grosbeaks, then modest numbers of Common Redpolls. A few White-winged Crossbills also passed through the Region in November, and there was a single report of 2 Red Crossbills flying over Fort Drum, By late November feeder-watchers were reporting Pine Siskins from throughout the Region and good numbers of Evening Grosbeaks primarily from the Adirondacks and foothills, but crossbills were absent and redpolls were scarce at feeders. The 220 species reported represents the highest fall total in recent years. With a few more observers in the Region this tally could easily be much higher, The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) 75 as certainly many species were missed because of poor coverage. The total of 27 wood warblers summarized here is largely the result of a single observer searching for migrant songbirds daily, and prior to this birder arriving in the Region fall warbler tallies were consistently much lower. Just one birder with a similar devotion to watching Lake Ontario would likely add many species that are usually missed in the Region, Cave Swallow being one very good example. Once again, the lack of any Cave Swallow sightings is among the big disappointments of the season, along with the low shorebird numbers. CONTRIBUTORS Marilyn Badger, Jeff Bolsinger, Dick & Marion Brouse, David Buckley, Carol Cady, Tom Carrolan, Sheila Cerwonka, Joan Collins, Rich Guthrie, Wendi Haugh, Anne Johnson, Robert Meredith, Nick Leone, Jerry & Judi LeTendre, Bill Purcell, Antony Shrimpton, Gerry Smith, Michael Stewart, Robert & June Walker, Tom & Eileen Wheeler, Bob Williams, Hans & Madeline van der Zweep. ABBREVIATIONS BRB - Black River Bay; CCSP - Coles Creek State Park; CV - Cape Vincent; ED - El Dorado Shores Preserve; FD - Fort Drum Military Reservation; HH - Henderson Harbor; ICNC - Indian Creek Nature Center, Canton; KC - Kelsey Creek, Watertown; LPd - Leonard Pond trail, Colton; MM - Massawepie Mire, Piercefield; MP - Montano Point, Ellisburg; PilPt - Pillar Point; PRGC - Partridge Run Golf Course trail, Canton; PRWMA - Perch River WMA; PtPen - Pt. Peninsula; RWSP - Robert G. Wehle State Park; SBSP - Southwick Beach SP; SLR - St. Lawrence River; TP - Tibbet’s Point, Cape Vincent; ULLWMA - Upper and Lower Lakes WMA; WHWMA - Wilson Hill WMA; WP - Whalen Park, Louisville; WS - Winthrop Swamp, Stockholm. WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES N. Pintail: max 23 FD 20 Sep; 16 ULLWMA Snow Goose: 2 air CCSP 25 Sep; 101 FD 10 26 Sep. Nov; 100+ Potsdam 26 Nov; few reports. Green-winged Teal: max 59 WP 13 Nov; low Brant: 60 SBSP 16 Oet; Castorland 20 Oct numbers throughout. only report away from L Ontario or SLR; 125 Redhead: max 335 WHWMA 30 Oct. CV 22 Oct; 24 CCSP; 1 1 SBSP 23 Nov. Ring-necked Duck: max 2050 WHWMA 25 Mute Swan: max 12 PRWMA 22 Oct. Sep; 620 ULLWMA 25 Oct. Tundra Swan: max 250+ BRB 25 Nov. Greater Scaup: 350 CV 13 Oct; max 1000+ Trumpeter Swan: 2 Wilson's Bay CV Sep; BRB 25 Nov. unmarked ad WHWMA 30 Oct-3 Nov; Lesser Scaup: max 40 WHWMA 3 Oct. probably same ad at nearby WP 5 Nov. King Eider: SY m MP 24 Oct; f MP 20 Nov. Wood Duck: HH 23 Nov; 3 Canton 26 Nov; Surf Scoter: SLR Ogdensburg 8 Oct; 16 CCSP 28 Nov; good numbers for so late. Lehman Park Potsdam 16 Oct; ULLWMA 29 Gadwall: max 31 WHWMA 30 Oct, low. Oct; 8 S LR Ogdensburg. EURASIAN WIGEON (R6): ad m WHWMA White-winged Scoter: 10 SLR Ogdensburg 8 25 Sep-30 Oct (JB), 3rd year at this site. Oct; 61 SBSP 16 Oct; 275+ scoters MP 24 Oct Am. Wigeon: max 255 WHWMA 25 Sep. mostly White-winged; 23 CCSP 30 Oct; 13 Am. Black Duck: 1 50+ MP 20 Nov; 200 PilPt ULLWMA 3 1 Oct; raft 400 ducks mostly this 25 Nov; low numbers at most locations. species with Black Scoter & Bufflehead L. Blue-winged Teal: max 13 Coles Creek 19 Bonaparte 6 Nov. Sep; last ULLWMA 13 Oct. Black Scoter: 2 Lehman Park Potsdam with N. Shoveler: 2 ULLWMA 3 1 Oct; ULLWMA Surf Scoters; 1 -3 SLR Waddington several 7 Nov. 76 The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) dates 30 Oct-19 Nov; 30 ULLWMA 31 Oct; 3 MP 20 Nov. Long-tailed Duck: max 1200 MP 20 Nov. Bufflehead: arr WHWMA 3 Oct. Com. Goldeneye: max 295 SLR Massena 19 Nov. Hooded Merganser: max 169 WHWMA 11 Nov. Com, Merganser: max 96 CCSP 11 Nov, low. Red-breasted Merganser: arr CCSP 3 Oct; max 104 SLR Massena, high for STLA. Ruddy Duck: 5 PRWMA l1 Oct; 2-5/day ULLWMA 29 Oct-7 Nov. Red-throated Loon: 3 migrating past CCSP 30 Oct; 6 reports L Ontario 16 Oct-23 Nov; max 4 PtPen 10 Nov; more than usual. Com. Loon: max 115 PtPen 16 Nov. Pied-billed Grebe: max 90 ULLWMA 6 Sep; last ULLWMA 21 Nov. Horned Grebe: 9 SBSP 16 Oct; 9 MP 24 Oct; 2 ULLWMA 31 Oct, only report away from L Ontario or SLR. Red-necked Grebe: CV 13 Oct; 4 BRB 23 Oct; 3 SLR Waddington 30 Oct; max 5 PtPen 10 Nov; CCSP 11 Nov. Great Blue Heron: more than usual late Nov. Great Egret: max 151 WS 19 Sep; last WS 16 Oct. Green Heron: last Lisbon 11 Oct. Black-crowned Night-Heron: 2 WS 19 Sep; last WS 2 Oct. Turkey Vulture: last Watertown 3 Nov. HAWKS-ALCIDS Osprey: last HH 23 Oct. N. Harrier: 4-8/day CV Oct & Nov. Sharp-shinned Hawk: 16 reports. Cooper’s Hawk: 12 reports. N. Goshawk: juv PRWMA 7 Oct, only report. Red-shouldered Hawk: ad PtPen late Oct, only report. Broad-winged Hawk: few reports Sep. Red-tailed Hawk: 12-20/day CV Nov. Rough-legged Hawk: arr CV 17 Oct; 5-6/day CV & Hammond Nov. Golden Eagle: Antwerp 1 Oct; FD 5 Oct; 2 FD 18 Nov. Am. Kestrel: 10-20/day CV to mid Sep; scarce after 7 Oct. Merlin: 11 reports; max 3 FD 1 Oct. Peregrine Falcon: Watertown 8 Sep; FD 1 Oct; harassing N. Harriers ICNC 2 Oct; several reports Massena likely resident pr. Virginia Rail: WS 19 Sep, only report. Sora: FD 20 Sep, only report. Com. Moorhen: last Dekalb 4 Oct. Am. Coot: 13 PRWMA 11 Oct; max 110 WHWMA 3 Nov; 1-2 two other locations. The Kingbird 2010 March; 61(1) Sandhill Crane: 2 Lisbon early Sep; possibly present all summer (AJ). Black-bellied Plover: 4 reports 1-2 Sep. Am. Golden-Plover: FD 27 Sep; ICNC 2 Oct. Semipalmated Plover: max 2 ED 3 Sep; last ED 11 Oct. Killdeer: last FD 1 Oct. Spotted Sandpiper: last ED 9 Oct. Solitary Sandpiper: last FD 20 Sep. Greater Yellowlegs: last CV 9 Oct. Lesser Yellowlegs: max 7 ED 3 Sep; lastFD 20 Sep. Sanderling: max 64 ED 10 Sep. Semipalmated Sandpiper: 3 ED 12 Sep; ULLWMA 2 Oct, only reports. Least Sandpiper: last 3 Dekalb 25 Sep. White-rumped Sandpiper: 2 ED 8 Oct. Baird’s Sandpiper: Coles Creek Louisville 12 Sep. Dunlin: max 86 WHWMA 30 Oct.; 7 Pt. Salubrious 1 Nov; last 3 WHWMA 5 Nov. Wilson’s Snipe: max 26 FD 20 Sep; last FD 8 Nov. Am. Woodcock: 10+Limerick Cedars 12 Oct; last FD 30 Nov. Black-legged Kittiwake: MP 20 Nov, only rep. Bonaparte’s Gull: max 53 BRB 5 Nov. Little Gull: RWSP 8 Sep (BP); first cycle BRB 5 Nov (NL). Iceland Gull: 1 st cycle TP 20 Nov. Lesser Black-backed Gull: 3 rd cycle PtPen 8 Nov (NL); ad SLR Massena 28 Nov (JB). Caspian Tern: last ED 12 Sep. Com. Tern: last CCSP 25 Sep. PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS Black-billed Cuckoo: last FD 14 Sep. Com, Nighthawk: no reports. E. Whip-poor-will: 2-3/day FD 2-9 Sep, calling; last 3 FD 20 Sep, heard. Chimney Swift: last Gouverneur 7 Sep. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: last ED 10 Sep. Belted Kingfisher: scarce after 4 Nov; Canton 14 Nov. Red-headed Woodpecker: last FD 1 Oct. Red-bellied Woodpecker: moving through FD 26 Oct. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: scarce after 6 Oct; last PtPen 24 Nov. Black-backed Woodpecker: none reported away from usual locations MM, LPd. N. Flicker: no large movement migrants noted; many still present throughout late Nov. FLYCATCHERS - WAXWINGS E. Wood-Pewee: last FD 9 Sep. 77 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: 5 reports; last FD 16 Sep. Alder Flycatcher: last WS 19 Sep. call heard. Willow Flycatcher: FD 2 Sep; Traill’s Flycatcher thought to be this sp. ED 10 Sep. Least Flycatcher: last FD 15 Sep. E. Phoebe: last Canton 7 Nov. Great Crested Flycatcher: last ICNC 15 Sep. E. Kingbird: no reports. N. Shrike: arrCV 23 Oct. Yellow-throated Vireo: last ICNC 11 Sep. Blue-headed Vireo: lastFD 13 Oct. Warbling Vireo: last FD 20 Sep. Philadelphia Vireo: LPd 6 Sep; 5 reports FD 7-17 Sep: ED 10 Sep; last ICNC 18 Sep. Red-eyed Vireo: last FD 13 Oct. Gray Jay: max 10 MM 13 Oct, high. Horned Lark: several' flocks flying down center of SLR II Nov. Tree Swallow': last 8 CV 16 Oct. N. Rough-winged Swallow: last ICNC 11 Sep. Bank Swallow: last ULLWMA 6 Sep. Cliff Sw allow: last ULLWMA 6 Sep. Barn Swallow: last Canton 12 Sep. Boreal Chickadee: max 5 MM 2 Oct. Tufted Titmouse: Canton 31 Oct. Carolina Wren: Canton 9 Nov thru. House Wren: last FD 5 Oct. Winter Wren: max 14 LPd 6 Sep; 8 FD 5 Oct; last ICNC 17 Oct. Marsh Wren: last FD 28 Sep. Golden-crowned Kinglet: arr FD 10 Sep; last obvious migrating individual FD 18 Nov. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: arr FD 17 Sep; last FD 26 Oct. E. Bluebird: scarce after 26 Oct. Veery: last FD 23 Sep. Gray-cheeked Thrush: nocturnal flight calls early am Canton 11,16. 17,20,23, & 27 Sep; max & last 25-30 flight calls in 5 mins Canton 1 Oct. Swainson’s Thrush: heaviest movements Canton 9 & 20 Sep, 1 Oct; last FD 4 Oct. Hermit Thrush: last FD 26 Oct. Wood Thrush: last ICNC 11 Sep. Am. Robin: max 300 FD 27 Oct; many still present lowlands late Nov. Gray Catbird: last KC 19 Oct. Brown Thrasher: last FD 5 Oct. Am. Pipit: arr ED 17 Sep; max 225 CV 16 Oct; last FD 28 Oct. Bohemian W'axw'ing: several Clarkson U campus Potsdam 19 Nov, only report. Cedar Waxwing: few flocks after 31 Oct. LONGSPURS - WARBLERS Lapland Longspur: heard over ICNC 18 Sep; Massena 11 Nov; PRGC 21 Nov. Snow Bunting: arr 8 MP 24 Oct; heavy migration 28 Oct-4 Nov & 10-11 Nov. Tennessee Warbler: last FD 1 Oct. Orange-crow ned Warbler: ICNC 26 Sep & 17 Oct; FD 7, 14 Oct; PRGC 8 Oct. Nashville Warbler: last FD 1 Oct. N. Parula: last ICNC 26 Sep. Yellow Warbler: last FD 15 Sep. Chestnut-sided Warbler: lastFD 17 Sep. Magnolia Warbler: last MM 2 Oct. Cape May Warbler: 2 FD 10 Sep; ICNC 11 Sep; only reports. Black-throated Blue Warbler: last Mt. Arab 23 Sep. Yellow-rumped Warbler: max 135 FD 1 Oct; last FD 26 Oct. Black-throated Green Warbler: last ICNC 2 Oct. Blackburnian Warbler: last FD 4 Oct. Pine Warbler: up to 20/day in foraging flock with E. Bluebirds and Chipping Sparrows FD most of Sep; last 6 FD 1 Oct. Prairie Warbler: singing on summer territory FD 9 Sep. only report. Palm Warbler: last FD 7 Oct. Bay-breasted Warbler: last ICNC 2 Oct. Blackpoll Warbler: last FD 12 Oct. Black-and-white Warbler: last ICNC 11 Sep. Am. Redstart: last ICNC 26 Sep. Ovenbird: last RWSP 25 Sep. N. Waterthrush: last FD 14 Sep. Connecticut Warbler: FD 5 Oct, second FD in 3 years, both first week Oct. Mourning Warbler: last ICNC 18 Sep. Com. Yellowthroat: last FD 7 Oct. Wilson’s Warbler: last FD 26 Sep. Canada Warbler: last ICNC 11 Sep. YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (R6): dead on Piercefield lawn 27 Sep (DB, photos). TOWHEES-WEAVERS E. Towhee: last FD 12 Oct. Am. Tree Sparrow: arr FD 7 Oct, early, with 50+ Chipping Sparrows; max 115 FD 4 Nov. Chipping Sparrow: last FD 3 Nov. Field Sparrow: last FD 8 Nov, with Am. Tree Sparrows; also last Canton 8 Nov, at feeder with j uncos. Vesper Sparrow: last FD 13 Oct. Savannah Sparrow: last FD 28 Oct. Fox Sparrow: arr FD 4 Oct; last FD 9 Nov. Song Sparrow: scarce after 26 Oct. Lincoln’s Sparrow: max & last 5 FD 7 Oct. Swamp Sparrow: scarce after 26 Oct; last PRGC 27 Nov. White-throated Sparrow: max 91 ICNC 26 Sep; last large migration 31 Oct; more than usual Nov. The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) 78 White-crowned Sparrow: arrlCNC 18 Sep; last RWSP 8 Nov. Dark-eyed Junco: arr ICNC 11 Sep; several flocks 100+ FD 26-27 Oct. Scarlet Tanager: last ICNC 18 Sep. Rose-breasted Grosbeak: last FD 21 Sep. Indigo Bunting: last FD 24 Sep. Bobolink: last FD 14 Sep. E. Meadowlark: few reports; 2 PlPen 29 Nov. Rusty Blackbird: arr ICNC 18 Sep; 150 ICNC 26 Sep; max 275 FD 14 Oct; 150 K.C 20 Oct; 200 ULLWMA 29 Oct; last large flocks 3 Nov include 100 FD & 135 ULLWMA; many smaller flocks; last Canton 25 Nov. Com. Grackle: scarce after 29 Oct. Baltimore Oriole: last FD 13 Sep. Purple Finch: many Oct; scarce after 5 Nov. Red Crossbill: 3 FD 16 Nov, only report. White-winged Crossbill: 2 FD 3,10 Nov. Com. Redpoll: arr Clifton 7 Nov; small numbers thru. Pine Siskin: arr FD 23 Sep; many moving 1 Oct to 7 Nov; many at feeders thru Nov. Evening Grosbeak: migrants widespread in lowlands 30 Oct-12 Nov; many reports mostly Adirondacks & foothills feeders late Oct thru. REGION 7—ADIRONDACK-CHAMPLAIN Melanie McCormack PO Box 366, Keene, NY 12942 Mruddyduck@aol.com The Region continued to experience seasonally warm temperatures throughout the fall season, November being the 1 l lh consecutive month where temperatures averaged above normal. September began with temperatures reaching 90° F on the 4 th in Plattsburgh and 89° in Saranac Lake, with a monthly average of 2.5 °- 3.5° above normal across the Region. This warm trend was followed by a harsh cold front that brought a couple of days of high winds and rain to the Region, though the remainder of the month brought a mild drought that was finally broken with heavy rains on the 30 th . The heavy rain continued to fall into early October and remained a frequent occurrence throughout the month. October rains were 4-4.5" above normal, resulting in the wettest October on record since 1895. October temperatures were slightly above normal, with a record low of 26° in Tupper Lake and a record high of 74° degrees in Willsboro. November temperatures remained 1-2° above normal, and precipitation slightly dropped from October to 1-1.5" below normal in the Region. November brought the first snowfall accumulations, with the highest snowfall of 4" falling in Tupper Lake. Malone and Dannemora received 2" of snowfall for the month, while the Champlain Valley made it through the month without any snow accumulation. The water level in Lake Champlain reached 96.7' in October and peaked at 98.2' in November, well above the average level for the season of 94.5-95' as a result of October’s record rainfall. The fall season had a good start with a report of four adult Sandhill Cranes in definitive basic plumage at the North Country Golf Club in Rouses Point. According to local sources the cranes had been present since 30 June, but had escaped the notice of local birders until they were brought to the attention of The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) 79 Dana Rohleder on 1 September. The report was soon confirmed by numerous birders in the Region, who enjoyed this rarity until early October when the last adult departed. Birders should be on the lookout next year to see if these birds return and possibly nest. Another notable rarity was a lone Long-tailed Jaeger that was spotted flying south on Lake Champlain on 25 October from the shore of Cumberland Head, only the third record for this species in Clinton County. A few songbird migration peaks were noticed by birders in the Region, with the largest variety of warblers reported in the second week of September, when the first north winds started to move birds through. Large numbers of migrant songbirds were heard by birders during the night on the 9 th and the 15 lh , and a large variety of songbirds were consequently reported during the days that followed. Twenty species of warblers were reported during September, including a notable male Black-throated Blue Warbler in Keene that had yellow breast and flanks, which may be a possible hybrid with a Nashville Warbler. There were fewer reports than usual of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds along Lake Champlain. Cackling Goose was the rarest species observed, with individuals being found in Canada Goose flocks at Westport, Ausable Point, and Cumberland Head. There were comparatively few reports of Snow Geese in the Region, with the largest flock reported being only 1,200 buds. A good variety of shorebirds was reported, but many species were seen only once and in small numbers compared with past seasons. The highlights were an American Golden- Plover at Noblewood Park on 6 September, and a lone Western Sandpiper at the Chazy Riverlands on the 16 th . The most notable peak in waterfowl migration was a large fallout of scoters that occurred on 1 November in the Saranac Lake and Lake Placid area, with totals of 238 Black Scoters, 24 Surf Scoters, and one White-winged Scoter being reported by some fast-acting birders in a single day. Raptor migration was best documented from Noonmark Mountain by Eric Teed, who made the effort to ascend the summit on days when strong north winds were pushing raptors through. Peak numbers from Noonmark included six Sharp-shinned Hawks, 23 Broad-winged Hawks, and two Peregrine Falcons on 17 September and three Northern Harriers and 61 Red-tailed Hawks on 31 October. Raptors noted by other observers included a Red-shouldered Hawk in Brasher Falls on 7 November, another in Westport on 23 November, and a Northern Goshawk that same day, Irruptive species began to make an appearance across the Region this fall, with good numbers of Purple Finches, Evening Grosbeaks, and Bohemian Waxwings moving through. A number of small flocks of Purple Finches were reported from feeders across the area from mid-September to mid-October. Flocks ranging in size from 2-40 Evening Grosbeaks were reported in all three months from feeders in Peru, Plattsburgh, Elizabethtown, Newcomb, Long Lake, and Saranac Lake. Bohemian Waxwings were reported in modest numbers during the month of November in Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Keene, with a maximum flock size of 55 birds. There were three reports of White-winged Crossbills moving briefly through the Region, and scattered reports of Pine Siskins during the month of October. 80 The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) In all 179 species were reported by 36 observers across the Region, a good number of species for the fall season. CONTRIBUTORS Jim Adams, Alan Belford, Joan Collins, Diane Demers, James De Waal Malefyt, Walter Favro, Elizabeth & Holland Fitts, Tom & Donna Gooley, Larry Hall, Judy Heintz, Bill Krueger, Linda LaPan, Gary Lee, Allen Lewis, Ted Mack, Larry Master. Brian McAllister, Melanie McCormack, Matthew Medler, Charlie Mitchell, Sean O’Brien, Paul Osenbaugh, Jeff Nadler, Nancy Olsen, Nancy Rogers, Dana Rohleder, Robert Scranton, Scott Schwenk, John Shea, William Stahl, Eric Teed, John & Patricia Thaxton, Eve Ticknor, Yvette Tillema, Andrea Wiggins. ABBREVIATIONS AP - Ausable Point; BB - Bloomingdale Bog; CH - Cumberland Head; CR - Chazy Riverlands: GBM - Gilbert Brook Marina; LP - Lake Placid; LL - Long Lake; MRP - Moose River Plains; NM - Noonmark Mountain; NP - Noblewood Park; PtR - Point Au Roche State Park; RP - Rouses Point; SB - Sabattis Bog; SL - Saranac Lake; TL - Tupper Lake; WD - Wilcox Dock. WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES Snow Goose: max 1200 Malone 10 Oct (JS); 1000 PtR 27 Nov (NO), few reported. Brant: Minor Lake 19 Nov (LM). Cackling Goose: CH 27 Oct (BK); 2 Westport 6 Nov (BK); AP 6 Nov (BK). Canada Goose: max 800 Malone 27 Oct. Wood Duck: BB 13 Oct (MMc), only rep. Am. Wigeon: 2 Point Au Fer 13 Sep (MMc), only rep Blue-winged Teal: male NP 4 Sep (TM, MMe, SO); 5 Westport 23 Oct (J&PT). N. Shoveler: CRL 12 Sep (BK), only rep. N. Pintail: PtR 22 Nov (JH), only rep. Redhead: Kings Bay 31 Oct (BK, CM), only rep. Ring-necked Duck: 3 WD 4 Nov (MMc), only rep. scaup species: 40 WD 4 Nov (MMc), only rep. Surf Scoter: max 12 Lake Colby 1 Nov(AB, BM); 9 Mirror Lake 1 Nov (LM); 3 LP 1 Nov (LM). White-winged Scoter: LL 23 Sep (JC); Lake Colby 1 Nov (AB, BM). Black Scoter: WD 20 Oct (BK, CM); max 120 Lake Colby 1 Nov (AB, BM); 70 Mill Pond 1 Nov (LM); 48 LP l Nov (LM). Long-tailed Duck: max 10 Lake Champlain 7 Nov (SS); 6 Raquettc Lake 14 Nov (GL). Buftlehead: air WD 13 Sep (BK), early; max 20 NP 30 Oct (MMe). Com. Goldeneye: 9 LP 1 Nov (LM); max 50 Lake Champlain 7 Nov (SS); 35 AP 21 Nov (J&PT). Hooded Merganser: 10 Little Tupper Lake 25 Oct (JC); max 60 Bellmont 27 Oct (JS). Com. Merganser: max 10 NP 21 Sep (ETe). Red-breasted Merganser: Willsboro Bay 6 Oct (BM); CH 13 Nov (BK). Ruddy Duck: fern AP 18 Oct (BK, CM); imm male AP 4 Nov (MMc). Com. Loon: max 15 Lake Champlain 15 Nov. Pied-billed Grebe: max 3 CRL 2 Sep (BK, CM); 3 AP 18 Oct (BK, CM). Horned Grebe: CH 14 Oct (BK). early record CLIN; max 27 Lake Champlain 15 Nov (DR). Red-necked Grebe: 2 CH 8 Oct (BK); NP 1, 29 Oct (MMe). Double-crested Cormorant: max 1420 NP 6 Sep (MMc, MMe, ETe). GREAT CORMORANT: imm RP 14 Nov (BK), 6 th record CLIN. HAWKS-ALCIDS Osprey: RP 23 Nov (BK), late record CLIN. Bald Eagle: max 4 AP 17 Sep (BK, CM); 3 Westport 23 Oct (J&PT). N. Harrier: max 3 NM 31 Oct (ETe). Sharp-shinned Hawk: max 6 NM 31 Oct. Cooper's Hawk: LL 11 Sep; Peru 22 Nov. N. Goshawk: Coon Mt 23 Nov (J&PT), only rep. The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) 81 Red-shouldered Hawk: Brasher Falls 7 Nov (RS); Westport 23 Nov (J&PT). Broad-winged Hawk: max 23 NM 17 Sep. Red-tailed Hawk: max 61 NM 31 Oct. Rough-legged Hawk: arr Westport 17 Oct (J&PT); Essex 29 Nov (ETe), Golden Eagle: SB 11 Nov (JC). Am. Kestrel: 3 Piseco 8 Sep (LH); max 5 Azure Mtn 22 Sep (JC). Merlin: NP 6 Sep (MMc, MMe, ETe); Westport 1 Nov (J&PT); Keene 17 Nov (J&PT). Peregrine Falcon: 2 NM 17 Sep (ETe); NM 2 Oct (JN). Com. Moorhen: max 5 CRL 2 Sept (BK). SANDHILL CRANE: 4 ad first reported at RP Golf Course 1 Sep (WF), reported to have been present since 30 Jun; 4 RP Golf Course 8 Sep (BK); last 1 ad RP 2 Oct (T&DG). Black-bellied Plover: 2 CRL 27 Sep (BK); max 5 NP 17 Oct (J&PT). Am. Golden-Plover: NP 6 Sep (MMc, MMe, ETe); CRL 7 Oct (BK). Semipalmated Plover: max 19 CRL 12 Sep (BK). Killdeer: max 10 Westport 1 Sep. Solitary Sandpiper: NP 6 Sep; Keene 7 Sep; BB 24 Sep; Coreys Road 27 Sep. Greater Yellowlegs: 2 CRL 10 Sep; 2 Mirror Lake 29 Oct. Lesser Yellowlegs: 4 CRL 12 Sep (BK), only rep. Sanderling: 2 CRL 12 Sep (BK); 4 NP 17 Sep (MMe, DD), only reports. Semipalmated Sandpiper: 21 CRL 14 Sep (BK). WESTERN SANDPIPER: CRL 16 Sep (BK). Least Sandpiper: max 37 CRL 12 Sep (BK). White-rumped Sandpiper: NP 17 Sep (MMe, DD); 2 CRL 19 Oct (BK), only reports. Pectoral Sandpiper: 4 CRL 19 Oct (BK), only rep. Dunlin: max 17 GBM 17 Oct (BK, CM); GBM 18 Nov (BK), late record CLIN. Am. Woodcock: Inlet 16 Oct (GL). Bonaparte's Gull: max 453 GBM 3 Sep (BK); 216 WD 3 Sep (BK). Caspian Tern: WD 9 Sep (BK), late record CLIN; 2 Crown Point 17 Sep (MMe), late record ESSX. Com. Tern: max 9 GBM 1 Sep (BK); Crown Point 17 Sep (MMe). LONG-TAILED JAEGER: imm CH 25 Oct (BK), 3 rd record CLIN. PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS E. Screech-Owl: 2 Cadyville 24 Nov. Great Horned Owl: Piseco 13 Sep. Barred Owl: Keene 4 Sep: AP 6 Nov; LL 21 Nov. Com. Nighthawk: RP 14 Sep (LM), only rep. Whip-poor-will: Port Kent 3 Sep (DR), only rep. Chimney Swift: 2 NP 3 Sep (MMe), only rep. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: dep 2 LL 22 Sep (JC). Red-bellied Woodpecker: Inlet 2-30 Nov (GL), only record. Black-backed Woodpecker: BB 15 Sep (AB); MRP 26 Sep (JC); SB 25 Oct (JC). N. Flicker: max 10 Keene 17 Sep (J&PT). FLYCATCHERS - WAXWINGS Olive-sided Flycatcher: Keene 6 Sep (J&PT), only rep. E. Wood-Pewee: dep Coreys Road 15 Sep (LA). E. Phoebe: dep LP 3 Oct (LM). N. Shrike: arr LP 2 Nov (LM); Jay 2 Nov (PJ). Yellow-throated Vireo: Keene 27 Sep (MMc), only rep. Philadelphia Vireo: 2 BB 7 Sep (AB); Keene 20 Sep (JN). Gray Jay: max 5 BB 11 Nov, Com. Raven: max 5 NM 31 Oct. Horned Lark: an 9 Keene 26 Oct. Tree Swallow: max 40 NP 6 Sep. Bank Swallow: max 10 NP 6 Sep. Cliff Swallow: max 3 NP 6 Sep. Barn Swallow: max 10 NP 6 Sep. Boreal Chickadee: 3 BB 17 Sep (AB); 4 Ampersand Mt 17 Sep (MMc); 4 LL 20 Sep (JC). Tufted Titmouse: Inlet 13 Sep, 12 Oct, 15 Oct (GL); 2 Westport 28 Nov (J&PT), Carolina Wren: CH 5 Sep (NO); max 2 Westport 17 Oct (J&PT); Willsboro 16 Nov (GL). Golden-crowned Kinglet: max 85 Mt. Colden 2 Oct (MMe, DD), record high ESSX. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: max 15 Mt Colden 2 Oct. E. Bluebird: max 25 TL 12 Sep (J&PT); 24 LP 30 Oct (LM). Swainson’s Thrush: 2 SL 23 Sep (AB); max 8 Shallow Lake 26 Sep (LH); dep MRP 8 Oct (GL). Hermit Thrush: max 4 LL 11 Sep. Wood Thrush: Cascade Pond 23 Sep (JA). Am. Robin: max 30 LP 3 Oct. Gray Catbird: 3 Crown Point 17 Sep. Am. Pipit: 8 Piseco 15 Sep (LH); 4 CRL 20 Sep (BK); max 15 North Hudson 31 Oct (ETe). 82 The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) Bohemian Waxwing: arr LP 3 Nov (LL); PS 7 Nov (BS); 8 SL 10 Nov (AB); max 55 SL 15 Nov (AB); 12 Keene 20 Nov (J&PT); 20 Keene 28 Nov (J&PT). Cedar Waxwing: max 30 Inlet 15 Sep; 24 Peru 15 Nov. LONGSPURS - WARBLERS Snow Bunting: arr 5 AP 27 Oct (BK, CM); max 77 Piseco 3 Nov (LH); 50 LP 11 Nov (YD. Tennessee Warbler: Lyon Mt 5 Sep (MMe, DD); dep SL 10 Sep (AB). Orange-crowned Warbler: SL 10 Sep (AB), only rep. Cape May Warbler: SL 9 Sep (AB); dep Coreys Rd 24 Sep (AL). Black-throated Blue Warbler: Keene 18 Sep (J&PT), male with yellow breast, possible Nashville Warbler hybrid. Pine Warbler: BB 17 Sep (AB); max 3 NP 17 Sep (MMe, DD), last reports. Palm Warbler: max 6 BB 11 Sept (J&PT); dep Mt Colden 2 Oct (MMe, DD). Bay-breasted Warbler: BB 7 Sep; SL 9 Sep, Deer Pond Loop 20 Sep (AL). Blackpoll Warbler: 7 BB 17 Sep; max 10 Mt Colden 2 Oct. Black-and-white Warbler: Peru 24 Oct (L&HF), late record CLIN. Wilson's Warbler: 2 Burke 6 Sep (NR); SL 9 Sep (AB); 2 SL 10 Sep (AB); BB 15 Sep (AB), only reports. TOWHEES-WEAVERS Am. Tree Sparrow: arr AP 27 Oct (BK, CM). Clay-colored Sparrow: Powley Place 13 Oct (LH), only rep. Vesper Sparrow: BB 13 Oct (AL); BB 23 Oct (BM). Fox Sparrow: arr LP 24 Oct; SB 25 Oct; Peru 6 Nov; max 2 SL 7 Nov. Song Sparrow: max 12 LP 3 Oct. Lincoln's Sparrow : BB 10 Sep; Inlet 30 Sep; max 2 LP 3 Oct; dep Inlet 16 Oct. Swamp Sparrow: dep SB 25 Oct (JC). White-crowned Sparrow: arr Hurricane Mt 20 Sep (MMe); max 25 LP 2 Oct (LM); 10 SL 20 Oct (AB); dep Peru 21 Nov (L&HF). Rose-breasted Grosbeak: max 10 SL 10 Sep (AB); Inlet 9 -19 Sep (GL). Bobolink: dep NP 6 Sep (MMe, MMe, ETe). Red-winged Blackbird: max 3500 Brasher Falls 13 Oct (RS). E. Meadowlark: BB 3 Oct (BM), only rep. Rusty Blackbird: 2 Lake Pleasant 11 Oct (JD), only rep. Brown-headed Cowbird: max 4 Piseco 6 Oct; 3 Westport 28 Nov (J&PT). Baltimore Oriole: 2 Keene 6 Sep (J&PT); dep Inlet 14 Sep (GL). Purple Finch: 6 LP 3 Oct (LM); 4 Peru 7 Oct (L&HF); max 6 Westport 23 Oct (J&PT); many reports. White-w inged Crossbill: 8 High Peaks 6 Oct (JC); 5 Tahawus 7 Nov (JC); max 16 West Chazy 9 Nov (MMe). Pine Siskin: BB 3 Oct (BM); max 30 New Russia 18 Oct (ETe); 12 Peru 25 Oct (L&HF); 26 LP 30 Oct (LM); Inlet 1 Nov (GL). Evening Grosbeak: 10 BB 3 Oct (BM); 12 Newcomb 6 Oct (JC); 2 Rand Hill 11 Oct (JH); 16 Peru 31 Oct (L&HF); max 40 LL 27 Nov (JC); many reports. REGION 8—HUDSON-MOHAWK Will Yandik 269 Schneider Road, Hudson NY 12534 wyandik@hotmail.com Mild and overall calm weather characterized fall 2009. September ended 4° F above average with average rainfall. October continued mild, 1 ° above average, and a few large storms brought 3.87 more inches of rain than average. The first frost occurred late this season, dipping to 30° at Albany International Airport on 19 Oct, but a killing frost did not occur in the Hudson Valley until 2 November. The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) 83 Many fruits and vegetables continued very late into the season, in both domesticated gardens and in the wild. November ended with temperatures and precipitation close to historic averages. 8 November brought a trace of snow to higher elevations and the northern part of the Region, but otherwise the season remained largely snowless. Most waterways remained ice free through the end of November. Among the waterfowl highlights are a Eurasian Wigeon at Vischer’s Ferry from mid-November into winter and small gatherings of Cackling Goose. Rare for our Region, observers tallied three species of loon: Common, Red-throated, and Pacific Loon, the latter spotted at Tomhannock Reservoir in Rensselaer County in mid November. Two unusual species of shorebirds in an otherwise typical fall migration include White-rumped Sandpiper and Band’s Sandpiper. Fall is an exciting time to watch hummingbird feeders for vagrants and this year a female Rufous Hummingbird visited the residence of Karl Hillig in Balston Spa, Saratoga County. The bird was banded by Bob Yunick, who reports that the hummingbird appeared at the Hillig residence in early October just when the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds began to depart. Originally, Hillig had not thought to question the identification of the bird, since he believed that only Ruby-throated Hummingbirds occurred in our State. Only after some investigation by Rich Guthrie did the bird’s true identification emerge, and Yunick banded the bird on 24 October. The bird remained at the feeder for nine days before disappearing. There were few passerine surprises this fall, however Will and Danika Raup discovered a Boreal Chickadee at Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area in southwest Albany County. The couple were searching for crossbills, driving slowly through the area, and heard a slow, raspy “sick-a-jay-jay” at an unassuming beaver pond. Stopping to search, they found the bird actively feeding low to the ground in a weedy area adjacent to the pond, with view good enough to discern its brown cap, rusty sides, gray breast, and the plain gray/brown back. They took a few pictures. Boreal Chickadees wander out of the Adirondacks occasionally in our Region, and when they do, they most likely visit the higher elevations of Albany and Greene Counties. Other passerines of note include: three reports of Orange-crowned Warbler, a Yellow-breasted Chat in Brunswick, Rensselaer County, a Dickcissel found in Stuyvesant, Columbia County, and both species of crossbill. CONTRIBUTORS Alan Devoe Bird Club monthly sighting reports, Larry Alden, Dave Baim, Hope Batchellor, Mona Bearor, Miini Brausch, Nancy Castillo, Jim Coe, Gerry Colbom, Tim Colburn, Bill Cook, Tim Dormady, Larry Federman, Corey Finger, Tom Fiore, Gary Goodness, Elizabeth Grace, Bemie Grossman, Richard Guthrie, David Harrison, Ron Harrower, John Hershey, Karl Hillig, Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club's Birdline of Eastern New York, John Kent, Nancy Kern, Heidi Klinowski, Eric Krantz, Bill Lee, Larry Main, Mitzi Lobdell, Andrew Mason, Matthew Medler, Roger Miller, Jeff Nadler, Gail & Rich Nord, Tom Palmer, Joe Peters, John Piwowarski, Barb Putnam, Bob Ramonowski, Will Raup, Tom Salo, John Saville, Susan Scheck, Scot Stoner, Bill & Marion Ulmer, Brad 84 The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) Walker, Carol & Owen Whitby, Phil Whitney, T.L.Williams, Chad Witko, Will Yandik, Matt Young, Robert Yunick. ABBREVIATIONS AUS - T Austerlitz COLU; COX - T Coxsackie GREE; FtE - T Fort Edwards WASH; HR - Hudson Ri; MR - Mohawk Ri; PR - Partridge Run WMA ALBA; SL - Saratoga L SARA; TR - Tomhannock Res RENS; VF - Vischer’s Ferry SARA. WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES Snow Goose: max 250 SL 26 Nov. Brant: max 70 Nutten Hook COLU 20 Oct. Cackling Goose: 4 Brunswick RENS 20 Oct; 3 TR 11 Nov. Tundra Swan: 2 SL 26 Nov. Wood Duck: last VF 16 Nov. Gadwall: max 20 Stanton Pd ALBA 5 Nov. EURASIAN WIGEON: VF 16 Nov thru (TLW). Am. Wigeon: max 6 VF 27 Nov. Blue-winged l eal: last VF 9 Sep. N. Pintail: max 7 VF 27 Nov. Redhead: SL 2 Nov. Greater Scaup: max 2 Loughberry L SARA 17 Nov. Lesser Scaup: max 8 Loughberry L SARA 24 Oct. Surf Scoter: TR 9 Nov. White-winged Scoter: max 2 TR 7-10 Nov. Black Scoter: max 47 Myosotis L SARA 16 Nov. Long-tailed Duck: max 8 Myosotis L SARA 27 Nov. Bufflehead: max 8 L George WARR 1 Nov. Com. Goldeneye: max 190 TR 11 Nov. Hooded Merganser: max 40 Loughberry L SARA 14 Nov. Red-breasted Merganser: max 4 Cossayuna L WASH 6 Nov. Ruddy Duck: last Lock 7 SCHE 28 Nov. Ruffed Grouse: AUS COLU 10 Oct; Ghent COLU 6 Nov; Galway SARA 7 Nov; Partridge Run ALBA 12 Nov. ' Red-throated Loon: TR 7-11 Nov; 2 Nassau L RENS 8 Nov. PACIFIC LOON: TR 11 Nov (RG). Com. Loon: max 6 TR 16 Nov. Pied-billed Grebe: last Collins L SCHE 7-13 Nov. Horned Grebe: max 4 TR 17 Nov. Red-necked Grebe: TR 11-17 Nov; SL 17 Nov. Double-crested Cormorant: last TR 11 Nov. Great Egret: last Waterford SARA 19 Oct. Snowy Egret: New Baltimore GREE 4 Sep. Green Heron: last Hillsdale COLU 26 Sep. Black-crowned Night-Heron: last Waterford SARA 19 Oct. Black Vulture: max 3 Glenmont ALBA 20 Sep. HAWKS - ALCIDS Osprey: last Brunswick RENS 26 Oct. N. Goshawk: Coeymans ALBA 30 Sep; Chatham COLU 4 Oct; Partridge Run ALBA 14 Oct; Saratoga SP SARA 14 Nov. Red-shouldered Hawk: Colonie ALBA 2 Oct. Broad-winged Hawk: last AUS 15 Oct. Rough-legged Hawk: arr Germantown COLU 5 Nov. Golden Eagle: Gilboa SCHO 6 Nov. Merlin: West Sand Lake RENS 27 Sep; Halfmoon SARA 2 Oct; Waterford SARA 19 Oct; BRU 23-4 Oct; Cohoes ALBA 4 Nov; Collins L SCHE 12 Nov; Clarksville ALBA 29 Nov. Sora: last VF 5 Oct Am. Coot: max 10 Collins L SCHE 14 Nov. Am. Golden-Plover: Cohoes ALBA 22 Sep; ML 6-23 Sep. Semipalmated Plover: 8 Stony Creek Reservoir SARA 24 Sep. Killdeer: last Florida MONT 1 Nov. Spotted Sandpiper: last COX grasslands 5 Nov. Solitary Sandpiper: last TR 11 Oct. Greater Yellowlegs: last Cohoes ALBA 23 Sep. Lesser Yellowlegs: last VF 24 Sep. White-rumped Sandpiper: TR 7-14 Oct. Baird’s Sandpiper: ML 8-9 Sep. Pectoral Sandpiper: TR 11-14 Oct; Rensselaerville 20 Oct. Short-billed Dowitcher: 3 COX grasslands 6 Sep. Wilson’s Snipe: last Rensselaerville ALBA 6 Nov. Am. Woodcock: last Livingston COLU 27 Nov. Bonaparte’s Gull: 3 VF 9 Oct; SL SARA 16 Oct; TR 7 Nov; Myosotis L SARA 27 Nov. The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) 85 Glaucous Gull: Colonie ALBA 28 Nov. Caspian Tern: New Baltimore GREE 4 Sep. PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS Yellow-billed Cuckoo: last Rensselaerville ALBA 16 Sep. Barred Owl: max 3 Chatham COLU 28 Nov. Short-eared Owl: Five Rivers ALBA 23 Oct. N. Saw-whet Owl: Beme ALBA 18 Oct; Five Rivers ALBA 15 Nov. Com. Nighthawk: last Meadowdale ALBA 22 Sep. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: last Germantown COLU 3 Oct. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD: BallstonL SARA 24 Oct-2 Nov (KH), banded by RY. FLYCATCHERS - WAXWINGS Yellow -bellied Flycatcher: 4-mile Pt GREE 12 Sep. E. Phoebe: last Florida MONT 4 Oct. N. Shrike: 7 reports scattered throughout the Region. Yellow-throated Vireo: last Saratoga SARA 21 Sep. Blue-headed Vireo: last New Baltimore GREE 10 Oct, Philadelphia Vireo: 2 COX Grasslands 2-3 Sep; PR 5 Sep; Saratoga Battlefield SARA 11 Sep; PR 26 Sep; VF 2 Oct. Red-eyed Vireo: last Austerlitz COLU 2 Oct. Purple Martin: last Copalce L COLU 22 Oct. Tree Swallow: last TR 7 Nov. Bank Swallow: last Vosburgh's Marsh GREE 5 Sep. Cliff Swallow: last Cohoes ALBA 5 Sep. Barn Swallow: last Hillsdale COLU 9 Sep. BOREAL CHICKADEE: PR 12-13 Nov (WR). Gray-cheeked Thrush: 2 PR 26 Sep. Swainson’s Thrush: last Clifton Park SARA 10 Oct. Brown Thrasher: last BRU 23 Sep. Am. Pipit: max 30 Papscanee RENS 4 Nov. LONGSPURS - WARBLERS Golden-winged Warbler: Rensselaerville ALBA 16 Sep; Burnt Hills SARA 29 Oct. Tennessee Warbler: last Albany Pine Bush ALBA 3 Oct. Orange-crowned Warbler: Five Rivers ALBA 5 Oct; AUS 10 Oct; PR 17 Oct. Nashville Warbler: last Florida MONT 2 Oct. N. Parula: last VF 5 Oct. Chestnut-sided Warbler: last AUS 10 Sep. Magnolia Warbler: last Ghent COLU 10 Oct. Cape May Warbler: last Saratoga SP SARA 26 Sep. Black-throated Blue Warbler: last AUS 2 Oct. Black-throated Green Warbler: last Claverack COLU 22 Sep. Blackburnian Warbler: last AUS 12 Sep. Prairie Warbler: last Claverack COLU 18 Sep. Palm Warbler: last Meadowdale ALBA 17 Oct. Bay-breasted Warbler: last TR 12 Oct. Blackpoll Warbler: last Claverack COLU 16 Oct. Black-and-white Warbler: last PR 1 Sep. Ovenbird: last Taghkanic COLU 14 Oct. N. Waterthrush: last Granite L SARA 25 Sep. Mourning Warbler: Rensselaerville ALBA 17 Sep. Com. Yellowthroat: last Collins L SCHE 13 Nov. Wilson’s Warbler: last PR 17 Sep. Canada Warbler: last Peebles I SARA 23 Sep. Yellow-breasted Chat: BRU 2 Oct. TOWHEE-WEAVERS Chipping Sparrow: last Gansevoort SARA 19 Oct. Field Sparrow: last Papscanee RENS 26 Nov. Vesper Sparrow: last Rensselaerville ALBA 10 Oct. Lincoln’s Sparrow: Five Rivers ALBA 5 Oct. Scarlet Tanager: last AUS 2 Oct. Indigo Bunting; last BRU 8 Oct. DICKCISSEL: Stuyvesant COLU 5 Oct (NK). E. Meadowlark: last Gansevoort SARA 8 Oct. Rusty Blackbird: max 450 BCM 23 Oct. Baltimore Oriole: last Vosburgh's Marsh GREE 28 Nov. Red Crossbill: 2 PR 11 Nov. White-winged Crossbill: 2 juv Gansevoort SARA 9 Nov; Five Rivers ALBA 15 Nov. Pine Siskin: max 12 Edinburgh SARA 27 Oct; scattered reports of small flocks, 1-5 birds. Evening Grosbeak: 2 Beme ALBA 6 Nov; 10 Providence SARA 2-9 Nov; Averill Park RENS 15 Nov. 86 The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) REGION 9—HUDSON - DELAWARE Michael Bochnik 70 Hutchinson Boulevard, Mt Vernon, NY 10552 BochnikM@cs.com The season started like much of the summer with temperatures in the nineties the first two days of September. Hurricane Earl then made its way up the coast on the 3 rd , just as a cold front was moving through. This kept Earl safely out at sea. Only the south east of Region 9 saw any effect, and no storm related birds were recorded. But migration did seem to concentrate further Inland. John Haas reported a huge mixed species flock moving along the Shawangunk Ridge on the afternoon of 3 September. The flock contained Red-eyed Vireos, Blue¬ headed Vireos, Black-throated Green Warblers, Baltimore Orioles, and at least two Philadelphia Vireos. Another good passage of migrants was reported the weekend of 11-12 September at many locations. September remained warm and extremely dry. The drought was broken the last few days of the month when tropical moisture from the short-lived Tropical Storm Nicole made its way up a stationary front along the east coast and brought huge amounts of rainfall to the area on 30 September. Poughkeepsie saw 2.41" of rain which brought monthly precipitation up to normal, but the month was 3.4° F warmer than normal. Precipitation continued on 1 October bringing another 2.7" for Poughkeepsie. A warm spell in the seventies from 25-28 October brought the month in 2.7° warmer than average. The month finished with a total of 5.7" of precipitation, >2" above normal. November was dry, with only 2.4" of precipitation, and the average temperature was 1.4° above normal. Lindsey Konkel and Scott Neabore observed and photographed a drake Eurasian Wigeon at Rockland Lake State Park on 16 October. The bird remained through the period. Due to very few stretches of inclement weather in September, hawk migration was spread out. Broad-winged Hawks peaked at area hawk watches at different times, with no one large push recorded. Decent numbers were seen from 15-21 September. Sy Schiff was reviewing Broad-wing Hawk pictures he took on 21 September at Hook Mt., the day when over 1500 were counted, and found a few photos of dark morph birds in the mix. It is not uncommon to get a couple of reports each season, but this may indicate more come through than thought on those high number days. The Hook Mountain watch posted three new records this year for total species counts: Bald Eagles—142 (previous high 125 in 2009), Cooper’s Hawks—294 (previous high 284 in 2005), and Black Vultures—55 (previous high 46 in 2007). Ospreys notably lingered into late November. Sullivan had its second county record of Buff-breasted Sandpiper when a juvenile was discovered at Morningside Park on 8 September. They also had a good showing in the black dirt region of Orange County with up to six seen. A Bedford Audubon Society field trip to Croton Point Park in Croton-on- Hudson on 23 October had a single Cave Swallow repeatedly circling over the The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) 87 old landfill between 9:30 to 10:00 AM. The bird eventually flew higher and higher and glided off in an easterly direction, after which it was not seen again. John Haas reported two probable Cave Swallows from the Summitville hawk watch on 29 October. He was able to eliminate all the other swallow species except for possible immature Cliff Swallows. A month later a second wave of sightings in the Northeast resulted in another Cave Swallow sighting for Westchester County: Benjamin Van Doren found a Cave Swallow at Marshlands Conservancy on 25 November. White-crowned Sparrows were numerous this season, with a number of reports of five or more in one sighting. Lesser numbers were seen through the end of November. Three Dickcissels were reported, all from Westchester. There was a single report of a White-winged Crossbill in Livingston Manor on 19 November. Pine Siskins were found in good number starting in mid October. Jodi Brodski, who runs a classroom feeder in Carmel, was surprised by an Evening Grosbeak along with a few Purple Finches and Pine Siskins on 25 October. Other sightings of Evening Grosbeaks from October and November were confined to the northern counties of Region 9. Other notable species include: Tundra Swan, Red-necked Grebe, Baird’s Sandpiper, and Lapland Longspur. CONTRIBUTORS Paula Baldinger, Scott Baldinger, Kyle Bard well, John Beccarelli, Peter Bedrossian, Michael Bochnik, Arlene Borko, Jodi Brodski, Tom Burke, Barbara Butler, Jim Carney, Belinda & Jack Cash, Steve Chorvas, Judy Cinquina, Eamon Corbett, Justine Davenport, Renee Davis, John Deans, Mark DeDea, Derrick Eidam, Lin Fagan, Tom Fiore, Ken & Carol Fredericks, Valerie Freer, John Gluth, Steve Golladay, Roy & Marge Gorton, Jeff Goulding, Arthur Green, Danielle Gustafson, John Haas, Henry Halama, Ken Harris, Chris Healy, Tait Johansson, Rodney Johnson, Gary Keaton, Lindsey Konkel, Bonnie Koop, Sandy LaPerche, Don Leak, Evan Mark, Liz Martens, Curt McDermott, Ken McDermott, Gene McGarry, Barbara & A1 Merritt, Frank Murphy, Scott Neabore, Mary Normandia. Mona Payton. Jeff Petit, Catena Pooth, Jim Previdi, Charlie Roberto, Beverly Robertson, Susan Rogers, Steve Sachs, William & Lisa Schlesinger, Peter Schoenberger, Steve Schuyler, Joe Scordato, Ruth Shursky, Anne and Ray Smith, Ed Spaeth, Herb Stein, Matt Tozer, Joe Trapani, Larry Trachtenberg, Benjamin Van Doren, P VanWart, Lance Verderame, Chet Vincent, Gloria Wagenknecht, Carol Weiss, Alan & Della Wells, Adam Zorn. ABBREVIATIONS CIES - Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook; CPP - Croton Point Park ; EGR - Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary; MC - Marshlands Conservancy; RNC - Rye Nature Center ; SGNWR - Shawangunk Grasslands NWR. The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES Snow Goose: blue morph Thompson Pd 28 Oct (CV). Brant: 220 Poughkeepsie 18 Oct. Tundra Swan: 12 Mt Peter 26 Oct (BR); Bashakill 2,3 Nov (JH); Sylvan L, Beekman 20 Nov (SG), Wood Duck: 482 Bashakill 29 Sep; 2032 Bashakill 7 Oct. Gad wall: 40 Rockland SP 28 Oct. Eurasian Wigeon: Rockland SP 16 Oct-30 Nov (LK, SN, AW). Blue-winged Teal: 5 Buttercup 3 Oct W&LS; 3 Bashakill 7 Oct. N. Shoveler: 18 Saugerties 6 Nov. N. Pintail: Wurtsboro 22 Sep-1 lOct; 16 Ashokan Res 29 Sep. Green-winged Teal: 50 Ashokan Res 10 Oct; 125 Pine Plains 17 Oct. Canvasback: 600 Grassy Point 28 Nov. Redhead: 3 MC 17 Oct; 7 Port Ewen 6 Nov; 5 EGR 22 Nov. Ring-necked Duck: first 12 Abel's Pd, Union Vale 25 Sep: 75 Abel’s Pd 6 Oct; 150 Abel's Pd 24 Nov; 100 Sylvan L, Beekman 28 Nov. Greater Scaup: 4 EGR 2 Nov; 140 EGR 22 Nov, Lesser Scaup: 7 EGR 2 Nov; 200 EGR 22 Nov. Surf Scoter: 2 Kiamesha L 15 Oct (JH, SB); 8 Chelsea 1 Nov (RJ); 10 Ashokan Res 6 Nov. White-winged Scoter: EGR 10,14 Nov; 8 EGR 25 Nov. Black Scoter: 15 Neversink Res 15 Oct (LV); 25 Slocum-Mostachctti Preserve 6 Nov; 400 Ashokan Res 6 Nov; 2 Port Ewen (MD). Long-tailed Duck: 3 Ashokan Res 6 Nov; 100 EGR 24 Nov, Com. Goldeneye: 4 Beekman 5 Nov; 2 EGR 22 Nov. Hooded Merganser: 100 Purdys 1 Nov. Com. Merganser: 50 Neversink Res 28 Oct. Red-breasted Merganser: WappingerLk 26 Oct (KH); 3 Sleightsburgh 7 Nov (MD); 2 Esopus 20 Nov; 30 EGR 22 Nov. Ring-necked Pheasant: 2 Eldred 24 Oct; 2f CIES 28 Oct; 2 WestbrookviUe 30 Oct; Gardiner 31 Oct; Saugerties 15 Nov. Ruffed Grouse: 1 from SULL, only report. Red-throated Loon: Esopus 20 Nov (LF); 2 EGR 22. 25 Nov. Com. Loon: 4 EGR 26 Sep; 8 MC 2 Nov. Horned Grebe: 2 Ashokan Res 17 Oct; 15 Ashokan Res 24 Oct; 2 Neversink Res 28 Oct. Red-necked Grebe: Swan L 16 Oct (LV). N. Gannet: EGR 24 Nov. Great Cormorant: Kingston 30 Sep; Bashakill 13, 28-31 Oct, 1, 3, 7 Nov (JH, AB, SB, GK. PBa, JC), photo, 1 st SULL record. Great Egret: more reports inland than usual; 7-8 Bashakill 25 Sep-7 Oct. Little Blue Heron: Fishkill 22 Oct (ES). Cattle Egret: CPP 14-15 Nov (KB). Yellow-crowned Night-Heron: juv Dennings Pt 14 Sep (KH). HAWKS-ALCIDS Osprey: 34 Chestnut Ridge 12 Sep; 33 Hook Mt 13 Sep; 27 Mt Peter 29 Sep; Bashakill 3 Nov; Silvermine Lake 12 Nov; EGR 19 Nov; MC 21 Nov; CPP 28 Nov. Bald Eagle: 10 Mt Peter 15 Sep; 10 Hook Mt 16 Sep. N. Harrier: 9 Hook Mt 18 Sep; 8 Chestnut Ridge 26 Sep; 9 Chestnut Ridge 10 Oct. Sharp-shinned Hawk: 207 Hook Ml 18 Sep; 256 Chestnut Ridge 18 Sep; 118 Chestnut Ridge 8 Oct; 105 Mt Peter 9 Oct. Cooper’s Hawk: 21 Hook Mt 2 Oct N. Goshawk: Summitville 2,17 Oct; 2 Chestnut Ridge 10 Oct; Chestnut Ridge 11 Oct; Hook Mt 24, 25 Oct, 14 Nov. Red-shouldered Hawk: 9 Summitville 16 Oct. Broad-winged Haw k: 794 Ml Peter 15 Sep; 1163 Chestnut Ridge 16 Sep; 852 Mt Peter 16 Sep; 2087 Mt Peter 17 Sep; 820 Summitville 18 Sep; 1690 Mt Peter 19 Sep; 1255 Chestnut Ridge 20 Sep; 1507 Hook Mt 21 Sep. Red-tailed Hawk: 149 Summitville 31 Oct. Rough-legged Hawk: Hook Mt 17 Oct; Hook Mt 20 Oct. Golden Eagle: Mt Peter 8 Sep; Hook Mt 23 Oct; 4 Summitville 29 Oct; 2 Summitville 31 Oct; 4 Bear Mt 3 Nov; New Paltz 20 Nov. Am. Kestrel: 29 Hook Mt 16 Sep; 27 Chestnut Ridge 21 Sep. Merlin: 4 Hook Mt 19 Sep; 7 Summitville 7 Oct. Peregrine Falcon: 9 Hook Mt 28 Sep. Clapper Rail: 2 MC 19 Sep. Sora: Liberty Marsh, Walkill NWR 19 Sep (MB); CPP 13 Oct. Com. Moorhen: Rockland L SP 31 Oct. Black-bellied Plover: 5 MC 10 Oct; 7 Ashokan 30 Oct. Am. Golden-Plover: 15 Black Dirt Region, Pine I 7 Sep; 3 Morningside Park 1 Oct; juv MC 10 Oct; Ashokan Res 6 Nov. Am. Oystercatcher: 2 MC 19 Sep. Greater Yellowlegs: 7 Ashokan Res 22 Sep, 17, 24 Oct. Lesser Yellowlegs: 35 Morningside 12 Sep. Ruddy Turnstone: EGR 3 Oct. The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) 89 Semipalmated Sandpiper: 3 EGR 26 Sep; Thompson Pd 28 Oct. Least Sandpiper: Thompson Pd 17 Oct. White-rumped Sandpiper: 3 Momingside Park 1 Oct (JH, SB); Ashokan Res 10 Oct (FM); 6 Ashokan res 12 Oct (FM). Baird’s Sandpiper: Black Dirt Region, Pine I 10 Sep (KM. SSc, JGo, JT); Apollo Plaza, Monlicello 12 Sep (JH, AB). Pectoral Sandpiper: 5 Morningside Park 12 Sep; 4 Morningside Park 1 Oct; lQAshokan 17 ,24 Oct; 3 Neversink Res 28 Oct; Swan L 29 Oct. Purple Sandpiper: 2 EGR 10 Nov. Dunlin: Ashokan Resl0.12 Oct (FM); 2 MC 10 Oct; Swan L 29 Oct (JH): 2 EGR 10 Nov. Stilt Sandpiper: Morningside Park 3 Sep (JH). Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 6 Black Dirt Region. Orange Co 7 Sep (KM, CM); Momingside Park 8 Sep (JH, AB. SB, RD, RSh), 2 r " J SELL record. 5 Black Dirt Region, ORAN 10 Sep (KM T SSc. JGo, JT). Wilson's Snipe: 19 Neversink Res 28 Oct; 32 Swan L 31 Oct. Bonaparte's Gull: EGR 26 Sep. Com. Tern: 25 EGR 26 Sep; 4 Momingside Park 27 Sep (JH, AB, SB, LV). Forster’s Tern: 1 Momingside 5 Sep (JH, AB, LV); 15 EGR 26 Sep; 40 EGR 3 Oct. PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS Yellow-billed Cuckoo: Stony Kill 16 Oct. Short-eared Owl: Hook Mt 10 Oct; Piermont 31 Oct. N. Saw-whet Owl: 9 banded Youngsville Oct (RD); West Saugerties 19 Oct (PS). Coni. Nighthaw k: 24 Rye 3 Sep. Chimney Swift: Chestnut Ridge 23 Oct. Red-headed Woodpecker: Kingston 19 Sep; Pearl River 22 Sep; Rockefeller SP 11 Oct. FLYCATCHERS - WAXWINGS Olive-sided Flycatcher: Westbrookville 5 Sep; 2 Bashakill 11 Sep; 2 Mt Peter 14 Sep. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: Bashakill 5,10,13 Sep; South Nyack 10,16 Oct. White-eyed Vireo: Stony Kill Farm 16 Sep. Blue-headed Vireo: MC 21 Nov; 2 Vassar Campus 24 Nov. Philadelphia Vireo: 2 Shawangunk Ridge 3 Sep; Bashakill 4, 5 Sep; 3 reports from SULL 11 Sep; singles SULL 15, 25 Sep. Blue Jay: 1758 Mt Peter 3 Oct. Am. Crow: 15,000 to roost near Rinaldi Blvd, Poughkeepsie Nov. Com. Raven: 44 Summitville 11 Oct. Horned Lark: 5 EGR 10 Nov. Purple Martin: Bashakill 13 Sep. 90 Tree Swallow: few MC 21 Nov. Bank Swallow: 10 Saugerties Lighthouse 5 Sep. CAVE SWALLOW: CPP 23 Oct (TJ); 2 Summitville 29 Oct (JH); MC 25 Nov (BV). Red-breasted Nuthatch: good numbers thru. HouseWren: MC21 Nov. Marsh Wren: MC 10 Oct. Gray-cheeked Thrush: Bashakill 25, 26 Sep. Am. Pipit: 7 MC 10 Oct; 24 CPP 13 Oct; 2 Stony Kill 16 Oct; 30 CPP 17 Oct; CIES 22 Oct; 19 CPP 24 Oct; 10 Clary ville 24 Oct; 3 Rockland L SP 3 Nov; 3 EGR 24 Nov. Cedar Waxwing: most reports early Nov. LONGSPURS - WARBLERS Lapland Longspur: 5 Ashokan Res 3 Nov (FM). Snow Bunting: 10 Beacon 17 Oct; HookMt 1 Nov; 12 Piermont 2 Nov; 40 Ashokan Res 2 Nov; 30 Ashokan Res 3 Nov; 10 Bowline Park 5 Nov. Golden-winged Warbler: MC 9 Sep. Tennessee Warbler: numerous reports in early Sep. Orange-crowned Warbler: Rhinebeck 13 Nov (PS,SR). Cape May Warbler: Mt Peter 18 Sep. Yellow-rumped Warbler: 600 MC 17 Oct. Bay-breasted Warbler: Ulster 4 Sep; Rhinebeck 6 Sep. Blackpoll Warbler: 5 CPP 13 Oct. Mourning Warbler: MC 19 Sep; Stony kill Farm 25 Sep; Saugerties 19 Oct. Yellow-breasted Chat: MC 9 Nov. TOWHEES-WEAVERS Am. Tree Sparrow: arr 2 Rhinebeck 16 Oct. Chipping Sparrow: 25 Mt Peter 14 Oct. Vesper Sparrow: Piermont 9 Oct; 7 CPP 17 Oct; 2 West Saugerties 23 Oct; 2 CPP 24 Oct; 2 Bashakill 28 Oct; Westbrookville 30 Oct. Savannah Sparrow: 12 CPP 13 Oct. Grasshopper Sparrow: Gardiner 16 OcL Nelson's Sparrow: 4 MC 17 Oct (BV). Saltmarsh Sparrow: MC 17 Oct (BV). Fox Sparrow: arr Ty mot- Pk 13 Oct; Kingston 18 Oct; 3 Bashakill 31 Oct. White-crowned Sparrow: 5 Rombout Rd 6 Oct; 10 Peach Hill 9 Oct; 8 Momingside 10 Oct; 5 CPP 13 Oct; 3 CPP 24 Oct; 7 Bashakill 25 Oct; fewer Nov. Dark-eyed Junco: arr Hook Mt 18 Sep. Dickcissel: MC 19 Sep (BV); Rockefeller SP 6 Oct (EM): Lenoir Nature Preserve 10 Oct (MB). Bobolink: 56 Tamarack L 2 Sep. The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) E. Meadowlark: 2 CPP 13 Oct; 8 Callicoon 27 Oct. Rusty Blackbird: 37 Bashakill 3 Oct; 6 Traver Pond 12 Oct; 9 Saugerties 23 Oct; 16 Buttercup West 23 Oct; 10 NeversinkRes 28 Oct; 19 Buttercup W 30 Oct; 82 Bashakill 30 Oct; 22 Bashakill 3 Nov. Purple Finch: 24 Kakiat Park 3 Oct; 24 Mt Peter 3 Oct. White-winged Crossbill: Livingston Manor 19 Nov (LV). Pine Siskin: good numbers starting mid Oct; 40 Roscoe late Oct; 50 Wurtsboro 24 Oct; 70 Bashakill 29 Oct. Evening Grosbeak: Ulster Park 15 Oct (PR); 2 Cape Pond 20 Oct (VF); Carmel 25 Oct (JBr), at feeder; Mountaindale 25,27 Oct (JPc); Wappingers 6 Nov (SL); Woodstock 8 Nov (PS); 3 SaltPt 11 Nov (LM); 3 Poughkeepsie 14 Nov. EXOTICS Chukar: Haven Rd, Bashakill 7 Oct (RD,RSh,AB,VF), farm raised & released. REGION 10—MARINE Seth Ausubel 118-17 Union Turnpike, Forest Hills, NY 11375 sausubel@nyc.rr.com It was an exciting fall season, with a good showing of many common and uncommon species in migration and a string of excellent late-season rarities including a first state record. There were some very unusual seabird records. An exceptional 308 species were recorded in the Region. The weather was generally warmer and drier than recorded norms, but frequent cold fronts throughout the season produced northwest winds and a good fall migration. A hot summer was followed by a very warm September. Warm conditions were more pronounced in western areas than on Long Island. For example, the mean temperature in Central Park was 71.1° F, 3.8° above normal, but at Islip the mean temperature was 68.3°, 0.8° above normal. 2.11" of rain fell at Islip, 1.28" below normal. October’s mean temperature was 55.7° at Islip, 1.4° above normal. Monthly precipitation was 3.83", 0.2" above normal. November’s average temperature was 45.6°, 0.7° above normal, and precipitation was 2.34", 1.53" below normal. Waterfowl numbers were generally low. Snow Goose, Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, and Common Goldeneye were particularly few. On the other hand, good numbers of several sea ducks were recorded. A few Common Eiders were present from summer, and numbers built to several hundred at eastern Long Island locations in November. An outstanding count of 10,000 White-winged Scoters was noted at Northville, Suffolk County on 15 November. Up to 238 Mute Swans were The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) 91 recorded at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, a substantial increase from last year possibly reflecting the discontinuation of an egg addling program aimed at controlling the breeding population at the refuge. With an offshore flow prevailing this season, pelagic seabirds were less often sighted than in recent seasons. However, there were some impressive offshore results. A pelagic trip out of Rhode Island on 10 September spent time in New York waters near Block Canyon, where Black-capped Petrel and Band-rumped Storm-Petrel were found. The latter would be the second state record if accepted. The highlights of a voyage to Block Canyon by John Shemilt and Angus Wilson on 11 September included Audubon’s Shearwater, White¬ faced Storm-Petrel, and Red Phalarope. Hurricane Earl passed well east of Montauk Point on 3-4 September, producing much anticipation but no seabirds. The remnants of Tropical Storm Nichole passed to our west 30 September-1 October and produced little in the way of seabirds, with the notable exception of an immature Brown Booby captured by a rehabilitator in Lynbrook, Nassau County on 1 October. This bird was released the next day at the fishing pier at Jones Beach SP and recaptured later that day in Freeport, Nassau County, having sustained a broken wing. It was an outstanding season at the Fire Island Hawk Watch. Record yearly totals were recorded for Osprey (83% above the 20-year average). Northern Harrier (128% above). Merlin (64% above), and Peregrine Falcon (80% above). Cooper’s Hawk numbers were 74% above the 20-year average. Numbers of American Kestrels and Sharp-shinned Hawks were near their long-term (since 1983) averages, a heartening sign as their numbers have declined substantially over the past 15 years. Daily totals peaked in mid September and again in late October through early November, coinciding with periods of frequent cold fronts, and the season’s total of 5,781 was the greatest since 1994. Other non-passerine migrants seen in good numbers included American Bittern, Cattle Egret, Short-eared Owl (with a notable report of 7 at Breezy Point, Queens County on 30 October), and Marbled Godwit. A count of 682 Black Skimmers reported at Coney Island, Kings County on 28 September rivals historical maxima for the season. Royal Tern numbers, while not as great as fall 2009, continue to reflect the increase of this species in our area. Numbers of Bonaparte’s Gulls increased this season after five or more years of dismal numbers. An encouraging sign was the large proportion of immature birds noted late in the season (up to 70%). The flight peaked in the last week of November, bringing with it a few Black-headed Gulls and a nice showing of Little Gulls, especially at Jones Inlet. Good flights of passerine migrants were also frequent. An excellent early fall flight occurred 10-11 September, both along the coast and in the New York City Parks, where up to 25 species of warblers were reported. Landbird flights were consistently excellent again in late October and early November. Seven species of warblers were reported as late as 20 October in Central Park, and Dark-eyed Juncos and other common sparrows were ubiquitous throughout the Region during this period. Among the regularly occurring species, there were very good showings of sought-after passerines such as Philadelphia Vireo, 92 The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) Eastern Bluebird, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue Grosbeak, and Clay-colored, Vesper, Lincoln’s, and White-crowned Sparrows. After 2009’s virtual absence of irruptive winter finch species, this season’s modest incursion was welcome. Purple Finches were widespread throughout the Region from mid-September through much of November, with numbers peaking in late October. A moderate flight of Pine Siskins began in mid October and lasted until mid November. Small numbers of Red Crossbills were seen along the barrier beaches from the last of October. These were joined by a trickle of White-winged Crossbills and Common Redpolls. Very low numbers were recorded of some species known to have suffered recent population declines. There were only two reports of Northern Bobwhite all season, both from western Suffolk County. The maximum count of Red Knot was only 75 birds, and the maximum of Common Nighthawks was only 20. Long-eared and Northern Saw-whet Owls were scarce, as were Red-headed Woodpecker and Rusty Blackbird. Tricolored Heron was not reported. This fall featured an unusual number of notably late records. A Connecticut Warbler at Riverdale, Bronx County on 30 October tied the state’s previous extreme date, whereas a cooperative Prothonotary Warbler at the New York Public Library in mid-town Manhattan 21-28 October not only provoked a spirited Internet dialog about proper warbler nutrition but suipassed the prior late date by about two weeks. An injured Hudsonian Godwit at Jones Beach on 23 November was very late, and two Buff-breasted Sandpipers at the sod fields in Riverhead, Suffolk County on 26 October were much later than any previous New York records. Most remarkable was an Orchard Oriole photographed at Zach’s Bay, Jones Beach SP, on 13 November. This species departs very early and abruptly, seldom lingering past August, and is furthermore similar in appearance to several potential late fall vagrants, so the care applied to documenting this record is especially welcome. The latest prior date was 28 September 1992. Twenty other passerine species and 12 non-passerines were recorded substantially later than their normal departure dates. A banded Barnacle Goose discovered at Orchard Beach, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx on 26 November provided a rare chance to prove provenance unequivocally. The bird was first reported by Keith Michael, and the bands were photographed by Shari Zirlin and Jack Rothman, who, with the assistance of Angus Wilson, contacted the banders. The bird was banded on wintering grounds on the island of Islay off the west coast of Scotland on 13 November 2002 as a juvenile. It was sighted there regularly, among the Greenland-breeding geese that winter there, until March 2005. This bird represents only the third North American recovery of a Barnacle Goose banded in the Palearctic. Unseasonably warm and rainy conditions with strong southerly winds during the period 26-28 October were associated with several unusual bird sightings. A Magnificent Frigatebird was seen at the Marine Nature Study Area, Oceanside, Nassau County on 26 October. Mike Farina’s field notes and sketch establish it as a second-year bird. On 27 October, Ken Feustel found a first-winter Franklin's Gull at Robert Moses SP, but the bird disappeared before others arrived. Searching in vain for this bird, Patricia Lindsay went to The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) 93 Captree SP and promptly found an adult Franklin’s Gull! That bird remained through the afternoon and was seen by a number of lucky birders. Over the next few days, Captree witnessed a full scale “Patagonia Picnic Table Effect,” highlighted by a first state record of Common Ground-Dove found by Patricia Lindsay and Shai Mitra on 31 October, and including a Western Kingbird and Dickcissel. The dove was seen daily through 21 November and then again on 28 November, having become rather elusive. Another remarkable conglomeration of rarities occurred at Jones Beach West End, beginning with a bird initially thought by many observers to be a Northern Shrike. Found by Steve Nanz and Matthew Rymkiewicz at the Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center at Jones Beach West End on 30 October, this shrike remained through the reporting season. Suspicions by Steve and others regarding its identity coalesced in a discussion on the NYSBirds Listserv, cross- posted to ID-Frontiers, and a consensus emerged that the bird was in fact a hatch-year Loggerhead Shrike, and a late one at that. By Thanksgiving Day the buds at Jones Beach included an Ash-throated Flycatcher seen briefly by Steve Walter, four Cave Swallows, Little Gull, Black-headed Gull, three Common Redpolls, and five Red Crossbills, not to mention the continuing shrike and the “usual” Lapland Longspur or two. There were two distinct incursions of Cave Swallows into Region 10 this season, each upon the passage of a cold front following southwest winds. The first, on 30 October, produced reports from Fort Tilden, Queens County, and Robert Moses SP. The second, larger incursion began on 24 November and lingered to the 26 th . This flight was presaged by reports from the Lake Ontario shoreline and included a report of 14 birds at Coney Island. There were more reports than ever of Common Ravens in Region 10 this fall, and the reports were more widespread. In addition to reports from recent strongholds in Staten Island, Nassau County, and Queens, were reports ranging from the Bronx east to Montauk, and the first ever reports at the barrier beach and Central Park. All the reports were of one or two birds. The trend suggests that additional nests will soon be discovered in Region 10. A Boreal Chickadee was seen on 9 November at Coney Island by Shane Blodgett. This species is extremely rare in Region 10. However, irruptions in 1954-1955 and 1961-1962 produced multiple birds in our area. Among other rarities, an American White Pelican was last reported at the East Pond of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge on 27 September; a female type Brewer’s Blackbird was photographed by Angus Wilson on 31 October at Deep Hollow Ranch, Montauk; and two Varied Thrushes were found in late November and continued through the reporting period. One thrush stayed in a section of Central Park’s Ramble known as the Maintenance Meadow and was enjoyed by many birders. Another was at a home in East Marion, Suffolk County. A Golden Eagle was seen flying over Hempstead Bay Marsh on 10 November. Two White-winged Doves were reported this fall, one a fly-over at the Fire Island Hawk Watch at Robert Moses SP on 31 October and the other on 16 November at a home in Westhampton, Suffolk County. 94 The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) The Cornell eBird database was used in several ways to obtain records for this report that were not available through other sources. For example, there were many unusual reports reviewed by the eBird Regional reviewer and determined to be valid. In addition, first and last dates and seasonal maxima were obtained for many species, especially waterfowl, shorebirds, and selected migrant passerines. CONTRIBUTORS Italics: Sent end-of-season report. Robert Adamo (RA), Deborah Allen, Jim Ash, Seth Ausubel, Andrew Baksh, Dick Belanger, Catherine Barron, Rob Bate (RB), Gail Benson, Bobby Berlingeri, Shawn M. Billerman, Ardith Bondi, (ABi), Orhan Birol, Andrew Block (ABI), Shane Blodgett . Brent Bomkamp (BBo), Nick Bonomo, Peter Bookalam, Mike Bottini, Marc & Sharon Brody, Tom Brown, Joe Buccellato, Paul A. Buckley, Thomas W. Burke, Vicki Bustamante, Ben Cacace (BC), Brad Carlson, Anthony Ciancimino (ACi); Anthony Collerton, Mike Cooper, Steve D’ Amato, Joseph DiCostanzo (JDi), Peter Dorosh, Jacob Drucker, Tom Dulski, Evan Edelbaum, Dave Eib, Michael Farina, Andrew Farnsworth, Ken Feustel, Suzy Feustel, Corey Finger, Tom Fiore, Howie Fischer, Brendan Fogarty, Lila Fried, Gerta Fritz, Karen Fung (KFu); Doug Futuyma, John Gavrity (JGa), Andy Gershon, Arie Gilbert (AGi), Paul Gildersleeve, Joe Giunta, John Gluth (JG1), Doug Gochfeld, Isaac Grant, Bob Grover (BGr), Andrew Guthrie (AGu); Rich Guthrie, Scott Haber, Nick Hamblet, Chip Hamilton, Dan Heglund, Gene Herskovics, Mike Higgiston, Bruce Horwith (BHo), Joel Horman, Sandy Hunter, Sam Jannazzo, Phil Jeffrey (PhJ), Rob Jett, Ed Johnson, Pat Jones, Richard Kaskan (RK), Rich Kelly, David Klauber, Norm Klein, Robert J. Kurtz, Mary Laura Lamont, Anthony J. Lauro, Anne Lazarus, Patricia J. Lindsay, Stu Lipkin, Heydi Lopes, Jean Loscalzo, Peter Martin , John Marvin. Robert May, Keith Michael (KM). Hugh McGuinness, Eric Miller, Stella Miller, Karlo Mirth. Shaibal S. Mitra, Andy Murphy. Steve Nanz, Mary Normandia. Luke Ormand, Drew Panko , Jack Passie, Robert O. Paxton, Vinny Pellegrino, Jason Pietrzak ( JPi), Patricia Pollock, Tom Preston, Joan Quinlan, Glenn Quinn, Jeff Ritter, Bobby Rossetti, Jack Rothman (JRo), Barbara Rubenstein (BRu), Karen Rubenstein, Matthew Rymkiewicz, Eric Salzman, Stair Saphir, Steve Schellenger (SSch), Sy Schiff (SyS), Donna Schulman (DS), Eileen Schwinn, John Sepenoski (JSe), Sean Sime (SSi), Mike Shanley, John Shenhlt (JSh), Pete Shen, Dominic Sherony (DSh), David Speiser (DSp), Lloyd Spitalnik, David Spreckels, Carl Staiace, Gary Strauss, Diana Teta, Ken Thompson, John L. Turner, Benjamin Van Doren, Andrew Van Norstrand, Richard Veit, Joe Viglietta, Steve Walter, Pete Weis, Alex Wilson, Angus Wilson, Seth Ian Wollney, Christopher Wood, Byron Young, Larry Zirlin, Shari Zirlin. ABBREVIATIONS AMA - Amagansett, SUFF; APP - Alley Pd P, QUEE; BPT - Breezy Pt, QUEE; Calv - Calverton Grasslands (former Grumman Property), SUFF; CSP - Captree SP, Suffolk; CB - Cedar Beach, Babylon, SUFF; CCP - Cupsogue CP, SUFF; CHP - Conference House P, RICH; CP - Central Park, NEWY; CRSP - Connetquot R SP, SUFF; DOP - Drier-Offerman P, KING; DP - Democrat Pt, SUFF; FBF - Floyd Bennett Field, KING; FIHW - Fire I Hawkwatch, SUFF; FMCP - Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, QUEE; FP - Forest Park, QUEE; FT - Fort Tilden, QUEE; GKP - Great Kills P, RICH; HHSP - Hither Hills SP, SUFF; HLSP - Hempstead L SP, NASS; HSP - Heckscher SP, SUFF; Jam Bay - Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, QUEE; JBSP- Jones Beach SP, NASS; JBWE - West End, Jones Beach SP, NASS; KP - Kissena Park, QUEE; Mass - Massapequa The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) 95 Preserve, NASS; SUFF; MLUA - Mt. Loretto Unique Area, RICH; MNSA - Marine Nature Study Area, Oceanside, NASS; MP - Montauk Pt, SUFF; NYBG - New York Botanical Garden, BRON; PBP - Pelham Bay P, BRON; PP - Prospect P, KING; RMSP - Robert Moses SP, SUFF; RP - Riis P, QUEE; Sagg - Sagaponack Pd, SUFF; Shinn - Shinnecock Inlet. SUFF; SPCP - Smith Pt CP, SUFF; SMSP - Sunken Meadow SP, SUFF; VCP - Van Cortlandt P, BRON; VSSP - Valley Stream SP. NASS; WPP - Wolfe’s Pd P, RICH. WHISTLING-DUCKS - VULTURES Greater White-fronted Goose: 4-6 East Hampton, SUFF 14-27 Nov, 5 thru (mob); Short’s Pd, Scuttlehole, SUFF 20 Nov (AnW). Snow Goose: an - 2 Jam Bay 26 Sep; 20 Gardiner’s I. SUFF 9 Oct (PW, MB); 54 JBWE 24 Oct (BB. JV): max 300 Riverside P. NEWY 31 Oct (JD) & 300 Jam Bay 26 Nov (LZ); low numbers. BARNACLE GOOSE: Belmont L SP, SUFF 24 Oct (AGi, JL, mob); PBP 26-27 Nov (KM, SZ, JRo), ph, banded Nov 2002 near Scotland, intro. Cackling Goose: 3 PBP 30 Oct (PAB); SMSP 7-9 Nov (KF, SF); Short’s Pd 14 Nov (SA, BBo, SM); East Hampton 21-27 Nov (PJL, mob); Caumsett SP 29 Nov (SF). Mute Swan: Jam Bay max 238, more than double the count last fall. Tundra Swan: 6 JBWE 26 Nov (LZ), fly-over; 5 Hook Pd 26-27 Nov (AnW), 3 ad 2 juv. Wood Duck: 7 Tobay, NASS 17 Oct (BB), migr; max 42 FT 30 Oct (SA, CF). migr. Gadwall: max 95 CRSP 13 Nov (RK). Eurasian Wigeon: Patchogue L, SUFF 28 Oct -21 Nov (BY, SA, mob); 2 Patchogue L 14 Nov (MC): Bailey Arboretum, NASS 15 Nov (RBA); Mill Pd, Oyster Bay, NASS 19-21 Nov (JPi, MN). Am. Wigeon: 189 Blydenburgh P, SUFF 26 Sep (BBo); max 194 Patchogue L 5 Oct (BY); 180 Patchogue L 7 Nov (B VD). Blue-winged Teal: 7 JBWE 5 Sep (RJK); max 100 Jam Bay 11 Sep (KM); 15 Bridgehampton, SUFF 15 Oct (LO); Rita’s Horse Farm, Montauk 7 Nov (AnW); Fresh Pd, SUFF 13 Nov (BBo); Patchogue L 21 Nov (AB), last. N. Shoveler: 79 Jam Bay 8 Sep (AB); 125 PP 20 Oct (AxW); 100 Jam Bay 30 Oct (LZ); max 225 PP 21 Nov (RJ). N. Pintail: 24 Jam Bay 25 Sep (AB); max 29 Patchogue L 28 Sep (BY). Green-winged Teal: max 150 Shirley, SUFF 7 Nov (JGI). Canvasback: air 16 Oct; max 17 EastportPd, SUFF 14 Nov (SA. BBo, SM), very few. Redhead: an - Jam Bay 24 Oct (SW); 4 Glen Cove, NASS (MN); 5 Jam Bay 14 Nov (AB); 2 Centerport Pd, SUFF 15 Nov (JPi); max 6 WPP 19 Nov (RV); 2 L Orowoc, Islip, SUFF 21 Nov (LO); 3 Jam Bay 25 Nov (AB); 5 JPSP 27 Nov (North Fork Audubon Soc.); 2 Capri L, West Islip. SUFF 29 Nov (BGr); very few. Ring-necked Duck: arr 25 Sep; max 129 Tuthill's Pd, Montauk 14 Nov (AnW); 45 Great Pd, SUFF 27 Nov (JSe); few. Greater Scaup: a few Jam Bay & Dead Horse Bay, KING thru 21 Sep; 107 Jam Bay 19 Oct (AB); max 2000 Jam Bay 20 Nov (HF). Lesser Scaup: arr 2 Oct; 92 Patchogue L 28 Oct (BY); max 280 Patchogue L 7 Nov (BVD). King Eider: 2 males MP 21 Nov (PJL, SSM). Com, Eider: several MP, JBWE from summer; largest counts include: 31 MP 5 Sep (AnW); 62 MP 15 Sep (AnW): 2 RMSP 26 Sep ( JGI); 18 Pt. Lookout, NASS 2 Nov (SyS, JG): max 450 MP 7 Nov (AnW); 200 Shinn 9 Nov (DB); 15 FT 14 Nov (JGI); SMSP 14 Nov (VP, NK); 97 Pt. Lookout 19 Nov (SA, SB, CF); 350 Shinn 25 Nov (RK); 15 RMSP 26 Nov (BBo): 50 JBWE 26 Nov (BB). Harlequin Duck: Moriches Inlet, SUFF 25 Oct (AM), ph, early; MP 28 Oct (JLT), early; 2 SPCP 3 Nov (CS); 2 imm m JBWE 12 Nov (SA, RJK); Hampton Bays, SUFF 12 Nov (AM); MP 13 Nov (JP); 2 ad m, 1 imm m JBWE-Pt. Lookout 14 Nov (RJK); 1 ad m, 2 fern JBWE-Pt. Lookout 20 Nov thru (mob). Surf Scoter: 2 JBWE 8 Oct (PD); 10 MP 9 Oct (AnW); 650 JBSP 30 Oct (BB); max 1500 MP 6 & 14 Nov (AnW); 500 FT 16 Nov (CF). White-winged Scoter: arr 2 MP 4 Sep (SA. BBo, SSM); 2 MP 15 Sep (AnW); 10 MP 25 Sep (AC); 25 Accabonac, SUFF 9 Oct (PW, MB); largest counts include: 175 Glen Cove 5 Nov (MN): 1500 MP 14 Nov (AnW, HM). max 10,000 Northvillc, SUFF 15 Nov (MLL); 500 FT 16 Nov (CF). Black Scoter: 2 MP 25 Sep (AC); 140 MP 9 Oct (AnW); 16 JBWE 9 Oct (SA); 34Mecox 9 Oct (RA); 500 RMSP 21 Oct (KT); 100 Shinn 31 Oct (RK); 600 JBSP 7 Nov (SF); max 1500 MP 7 & 14 Nov (AnW). Long-tailed Duck: an- 30 Oct; max 50 MP 14 Nov (AnW); 33 Northville, SUFF 26 Nov (JSe). 96 The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) BufTlehead: max 100 Jam Bay 26 Nov (LZ). Com. Goldeneye: arr 2 Oak Beach, SUFF 13 Nov (BBo); max 17 SMSP 28 Nov (VP); <10 reps. Hooded Merganser: arr SMSP 23 Oct; 59 Mass 21 Nov (AB); max 100 Capri L 29 Nov (BGr). Com. Merganser: 2 SMSP 28 Nov (VP), only rep. Red-breasted Merganser: 18 CP 18 Sep (JD); max 75 Oak Beach 13 Nov (BBo). Ruddy Duck: max 1000 Jam Bay 20 Nov (HF). N. Bobwhite: 5 Smithtown 11 Sep (D. Spreckels); HSP 17 Sep (SSM). only reps. Ring-necked Pheasant: 7 KP 23 Oct (CF); 2 East Hampton 27 Nov (BRu, KR). Wild Turkey: <15 LI reps; max 18 East Hampton 10 Oct (AnW) & 18 Calv 7 Nov (RK). Red-throated Loon: max 70 RMSP 28 Nov (BBo). Pied-billed Grebe: 13 Blydcnburgh P 25 Sep (VP); max 30 Patchogue L 7 Nov (BVD). Horned Grebe: PP 25 Oct (fide PD), unus loc; max 94 Noyack Landing Beach, SUFF 13 Nov (AnW), otherwise few. Red-necked Grebe: 3 Montauk 14 Nov (HM, AnW); 2 MP 21 Nov (PJL, SSM); Culloden Pt, Montauk, SUFF 21 Nov (PJL, SSM); Oakwood Beach, RICH 27 Nov (SIW, etal). BLACK-CAPPED PETREL: Block Canyon 10 Sep (fide AnW), intro. Cory's Shearwater: Block Canyon 11 Sep (JSh. AnW); HHSP 30 Sep (AnW); MP 1 Oct (AnW); MP 1 Oct (JP); 3 RMSP 5 Oct (KF). Great Shearwater: Block Canyon 11 Sep (JSh, AnW); MP 1 Oct (JP) Manx Shearwater: RMSP 18 Sep (SA). AUDUBON’S SHEARWATER: Block Canyon 11 Sep (JSh, AnW). Wilson’s Storm-Petrel: 49 Block Canyon 11 Sep (JSh, AnW), WHITE-FACED STORM-PETREL: Block Canyon 11 Sep (JSh, AnW). BAND-RUMPED STORM-PETREL: Block Canyon 10 Sep (fide AnW), second state record if accepted; intro. BROWN BOOBY: Lynbrook, NASS 1 Oct, intro. N. Gannet: max 2000 RMSP 30 Oct (SSM, BBo); 800 JBSP 30 Oct (BB); 800 FT 30 Oct (CF, SA); 350 Shinn 6 Nov (RK); 400 RMSP 26 Nov (BBo). AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN (R10): Jam Bay thru 27 Sep (AB, mob). Double-crested Cormorant: max 5350 MP 9 Oct (AnW), large number. The Kingbird 2010 March; 61(1) Great Cormorant: arr MP 30 Sep (AnW). MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD: 2y MNSA26 Oct (MF!, et al). Am. Bittern: 10 reps 23 Oct-29 Nov. Least Bittern: CCP 8 Sep (SSM, DSh), unus loc. Great Egret: max 59 Jam Bay 8 Sep (AB); Shinn 28 Nov (LO), late. Snowy Egret: 54 CCP 2 Oct (RK); max 136 Jam Bay 9 Oct (AB); 2 Broad Channel, QUEE 6 Nov (SA, GH); 7 Jam Bay 7 Nov (JM), last- Little Blue Heron: mim APP thru 10 Sep (mob), unus loc; CCP 31 Oct (RK); Jam Bay 6 Nov (SA, GH); Jam Bay 25 Nov thru (RB), late. Tricolored Heron: not reported. Cattle Egret: RMSP 1-3 Oct (BR, mob); 2 FIHW 2 Oct (RJK); FT 10 Oct (SA. 1G); 1-4 FBF 10 Oct - 14 Nov (HL, TP AB. JG1, mob); East Northport, SUFF 30 Oct (VP); Montauk 31 Oct (JG); 1-5 Mecox Dairy Farm, SUFF 29 Oct - 14 Nov (SH, mob); 2-3 Peconic, SUFF 6-20 Nov (JSc, fide HM. AnW); 2 Eastport, SUFF 10-14 Nov (SSM, SA, BBo, SM). Yellow-crowned Night-Heron: William Floyd Estate, SUFF 6 Nov (MLL); 2 juv CSP 29 Nov (BGr); late. Glossy Ibis: last 7 Oct. Black Vulture: PP 29 Oct (PD); Mt. Loretto, RICH 25 Oct (ACi); Hugenot, RICH 6 Nov (MS); Long Pd, RICH 21 Nov. Turkey Vulture: at least 30 reps, ca. half LI; 4 Frick Estate, NASS 15 Sep (PM); 5 Cutchogue, SUFF 7 Oct (JSe); 22 CP 15 Oct (fide AF); 5 Jam Bay 23 Oct (JG, et a!): max 50 Riverside P 31 Oct (JD); 4 Northville 23 Nov (MLL); 2 Calv 27 Nov (RK). HAWKS - ALCIDS Osprey: total 557 FIHW (fide DP), record high; 25 JBWE 11 Sep (BB). large number; JBWE 20 Nov (SA). last; intro. Bald Eagle: ca. 21 reps of ca. 26 birds. N. Harrier: total 523 FIHW (DP, mob), record high; intro. Sharp-shinned Hawk: total 543 at FIHW (DP, mob); intro. Cooper's Hawk: total 48 FIHW (fide DP). N. Goshawk: SPCP 30 Oct (MC); irnrn CCP 31 Oct (RK); imm JBWE 12 Nov (SA, RJK, SJ); Shinn 21 Nov (RBA). Red-shouldered Hawk: PP 11 Sep (fide PD); Northville 11 Sep (MLL); Caumsett SP 21 Sep (PM); ad Jam Bay 24 Oct (SW); 2 Montauk 23 Oct (VB); Swindler Cove P 6 Nov (BC); DOP 9 Nov (SB); CP 11 Nov (JD); Swindler CoveP 14 Nov (BC); MLUA 27 Nov (SIW, et al). 97 Broad-winged Hawk: max 492 NEWY 20 Sep (JD), large number; FT 2 Oct (IG), FP 3 Oct (K. Mirth), Dyker Beach, KING 10 Nov (SB), unus Iocs. Red-tailed Hawk: ca. 12 reps from barrier beaches. Rough-legged Hawk: FIHW 1 Nov (fide DP); SPCP 6 Nov (CS. RK), dark; SPCP 13 Nov (CS), light. GOLDEN EAGLE (RIO): Hempstead Bay Marsh, NASS lONov(CH), Am. Kestrel: total 1645 FIHW (fide DP); 15 Calverton Grasslands. SUFF 7 Oct (LO). Merlin: total 2119 FIHW (fide DP), record high. Peregrine Falcon: total 325 FIHW (fide DP), record high; migr 7 East Hampton 30 Sep (AnW). Virginia Rail: MNSA 23 Oct (RJK), calling; Arshamomaque Pres, SUFF 30 Oct (JSe); JBWE 19 Nov (SA, SB, CF), found dead. Sora: PP 14 Sep (RB): CHP 24 Sep (DE); only reps. Com. Moorhen: Jam Bay thru 5 Sep (mob); 2 Blydenburgh P 25-29 Sep (VP, mob). Am. Coot: max 200 Patchogue L 7 Nov (BVD); 141 Patchogue L 14 Nov (SA, BBo, SM); 86 Sag Harbor, SUFF 14 Nov (AnW), large numbers. Black-bellied Plover: 350 Manorville 4 Sep (RJK); 233 FBF 1 Oct (SB); max 1000 JBSP 26 Nov (LZ). Am. Golden-Plover: At least 32 reps incl: 15 Shorcham, SUFF 12 Sep (RBA); 30 Rivcrhead 11 Sep (RA); 10 FBF 1 Oct (SB); 35 Rivcrhead 27 Oct (JSe); 2 Pt. Lookout 12 Nov (RJK), last. Semipalmated Plover: Mecox 14 Nov (SA, BBo, SM); 3 Mecox 20 Nov (AnW); late, Piping Plover: max 23 JBSP 5 Sep (BF). Am. Oystercatcher: fewer than recently in fall; 250 JBWE 3 Sep (RJK); max 312 JBWE 12 Sep (DF). Am. Avocet: MNSA 7 Sep (KT); JBWE 11 Oct (PG, mob). Spotted Sandpiper: Riverdale, BRON 29 Oct (PAB); Ditch Plains, SUFF 20 Nov (AnW); late. Solitary Sandpiper: over 20 reps, incl: 5 Southampton. SUFF 4-5 Sep (J. Ash, AnW); 5 Bridgehampton 25 Sep (LO). “Western” Willet: max 48 JBWE 11 Sep (BB); 2 JBWE 6 Nov (K&SF); JBWE 23 Nov (SMB, et al ), late. Lesser Yellowiegs: 6 Goethal’s Br Pd, RICH 13 Nov (CB); Jam Bay 14 Nov (AB); late. Upland Sandpiper: 2 RMSP 11 Sep (BBo). Whimbrel: max 7 Island Park, NASS 26 Sep (BB); last Jam Bay 24 Nov (JPi), late. 98 Hudsonian Godwit: juv Jam Bay 7 Sep (EE!); ad JBWE 23 Nov (K&SF), injured, very late. Marbled Godwit: 9 CCP 1-8 Sep (mob), 3 to 18 Sep (RK); JBWE 11 Sep (BB); 4 Mecox 18 Sep (AnW. HM); Jam Bay 22 Sep (AB); JBWE 10 Oct-19 Nov (TWB, AGu, mob). Red Knot: 4 FBF 1 Oct (SB); 40 JBWE 20 Oct (SyS); max 75 JBWE 12 Nov (BF); few. Sanderling: few; max 320 JBWE 5 Sep (BF); 239 BP 24 Nov (AB). Western Sandpiper: max 5 Jam Bay 4 Sep; last JBWE 9 Oct (BB). Least Sandpiper: JBWE 9 Oct (RBA); Mecox 11 Oct (JSh); 3 Rivcrhead 26 Oct (RA); late. White-rumped Sandpiper: >13 reps incl 23 Jam Bay 7 Sep (AB) & 55 JBWE 5 Oct (KF). Baird's Sandpiper: 2 Jam Bay thru 7 Sep (mob); 5 JBWE 2 Sep (SyS, mob); Rivcrhead 3 Sep (JG1); 2-4 JBWE 3-6 Sep (mob); 2 Riverhead 7 Sep (DH, RM); CB 12 Sep (JG1); 1-2 .IBWE 11-16 Sep (BB, SyS, JG, mob). Pectoral Sandpiper: few; largest counts: 6 JBWE 7 Sep (AB); 6 Jam Bay 11 sep (AB); max 11 FBF 28 Sep (SB); 7 JBWE 9 Oct (RBA); Riverhead 7 Nov (JSe), last. Purple Sandpiper: an- 6 Nov. Dunlin: max 2000 JBSP 20 Nov (DG); 800 JBWE 28 Nov (SF). Stilt Sandpiper: max 15 Jam Bay 11 Sep (AB); 6 Jam Bay 25 Sep (AB), last. Buff-breasted Sandpiper: 21 reps involving appx. 35 birds incl. 3 JBWE I Sep (DF, MN): 3 Manorville 2-4 Sep (CS); HSP 7-9 Sep (K&SF); CCP 8 Sep (SSM. DSh): 4 Shorcham, SUFF 10 Sep (DH); max 5 Shorcham 12 Sep (JH); 1-4 FBF 11-19 Sep (SA, SB, RJ, JD); RMSP 2 Oct (DP); 2 Riverhead 26 Oct (RA), very late, intro. Short-billed Dowitcher: max 89 Jam Bay 8 Sep (AB); 10 JBWE 9 Oct (SB>; 2 JBWE 11 Oct (SF), last. Long-billed Dowitcher: max 8 Jam Bay 20 Sep (AB); JBSP 7 Nov (DSh, BC, et al), Wilson's Phalarope: Jam Bay 3-7 Sep (CF, mob). Red-necked Phalarope: Block Canyon 11 Sep (JSh, AnW). RED PHALAROPE (R10): Block Canyon 11 Sep (JSh, AnW). Black-legged Kittiwake: imm Shinn 14 Nov (SA, SM); 2 Mecox 14 Nov (AnW. HM); imm CB 15 Nov (K&SF); 21 MP 21 Nov (PJL, SSM); 2 JBWE 21 Nov (SA, AB, CF). Bonaparte’s Gull: FMCP 10 Sep (CF), unus loc; 320 MP 6 Nov (AnW); 350 CB 15 Nov (KF); 800 BP 24 Nov (AB); 500 Jones Inlet 25 Nov (SA); max 1113 RMSP 25 Nov (BBo); 1000 BP 27 Nov (PS); 812 Gravesend Bay, The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) KING 27 Nov (SB); up to 70% imm noted late season; intro. Black-headed Gull: I W Mecox 21 Oct - 7 Nov (JSh, HM, AnW); Riverdale 30 Oct (PAB); imm JBWE 23-28 Nov (SMB, SA, BR, mob); imm Gravesend Bay 27 Nov (SB). Little Gull: MP 31 Oct (AnW); 2W JBWE 21 Nov (K&SF), ph; ad JBWE 25 Nov (SA, SJ, SM); 2 1W & 1 ad JBWE & Pt. Lookout 27 Nov (PJL, SA, mob). Laughing Gull: 2760 Orient Pt, SUFF 17 Sep (JSe); max 6000 MP 31 Oct (AnW); Iron Pier Beach 23-24 Nov (MLL); 4 Jones Inlet 25 Nov (SA); RMSP 26 Nov. FRANKLIN S GULL (R10): 1W RMSP 27 Oct (KF); ad CSP 27 Oct (PJL, mob), intro. Iceland Gull: JBSP 6 Nov (TWB, GB); Riverside P 11 Nov (JD). 1W; JBSP 13 Nov (GF. JQ); Montauk 14 Nov (HM, AnW). Lesser Black-backed Gull: at least 34 reps, inch 7 Fort Pd. Montauk, SUFF 13 Sep (AnW); 6 HSP 17 Sep (SSM); 5 incl 3 juv RMSP 30 Sep (PJL); max 47 Suffolk Co. 1 Oct (PJL, SSM, AnW, MC), incl 21 juv; 2 ad Iron Pier Beach 23 Nov (MLL); see note pp. 35-36. Glaucous Gull: Orient Pt, SUFF thru (mob). “Nelson’s” Gull: JBSP 30 Nov (BR. SyS ph). Least Tern: 2 Sagg 18-19 Sep (AnW, HM); 3 Mecox 18-19 Sep (JG1); Mecox 24-25 Sep (JSh, AnW); late. Gull-billed Tern: JBWE 5 Sep (K&SF). Caspian Tern: MP 4 Sep (SA, BBo); 4 GKP 4 Sep (CB); 2 CCP 8 Sep (SSM, DSh); RMSP 9 Sep (RJK); CB 12 Sep (JG1); 2 RMSP 15 Sep (SSM); JBWE 16 Sep (PB); 2 RMSP 17 Sep (KF); max 10 Sagg 18 Sep (AnW. HM), large number; 4 Mecox 18 Sep (JSh); RMSP 22 Sep (RJK); 2 Mecox 24 Sep (JSh); 2 Mecox 30 Sep (AnW): Mecox 11 Oct (JSh). Black Tern: max 120 Napeague 2 Sep (SSM); 70 Napeague 5 Sep (AnW); 16 MP 15 Sep (AnW); 21 Napeague 15 Sep (AnW); 3 MP 25 Sep (AC); 4 MP 30 Sep (AnW). Roseate Tern: ad MP 30 Sep ( AnW), late. Com. Tern: max 3000 MP 12 Sep (AnW); 1000 MP 9 Oct (AnW); WPP 29 Oct (RV); 17 Montauk 7 Nov (fide AnW); Shinn 14 Nov (SA); 7 Montauk 14 Nov (HM, AnW); 2 JBWE 21 Nov (SA), last, late, Forster's Tern: 12 FMCP 9 Sep (CF), unus loc; max 170 Gilgo, SUFF 17 Sep (PJ); 106 Mecox 18 Sep (AnW, HM); 40 WPP 29 Oct (RV); 13 Pt Lookout 2 Nov (SyS, JG); MP 6 Nov (AnW), last. Royal Tern: 26 reps of > 90 birds incl: max 14 RMSP 16 Oct (SA, SM); 5 GKP 29 Oct (RV); 7 JBSP 11 Nov (AB); JBSP 15 Nov (EM), last. Black Skimmer: max 682 Coney I, KING 28 Sep (SB); 64 Coney 19 Nov (SB, RJ), late; 9 Coney I 28 Nov (PD), late. Parasitic Jaeger: JBWE 2 Sep (SyS, et al ); Shinn 19 Sep (JSh); MP 25 Sep (AC): 2 RMSP 26 Sep (SSM); HHSP 29 Sep (AnW); Coney I 30 Sep (SB), unus loc; 2 Napeague, SUFF I Oct (AnW); max 12 MP 1 Oct (IP); RMSP 5 Oct (KF); Mecox 9 Oct (RA): 7 RMSP 16 Oct (SA, SM); JBWE 20 Oct (KF); MP 24 Oct (VP); 6 HHSP 31 Oct (AnW); 8 JBSP 6 Nov (TWB, GB) Dovekie: MP 19 Oc.t(BHo). Razorbill: Shinn 19 Nov (OB); Culloden Pt 22 Nov (JP); 17 RMSP 26 Nov (BBo); JBSP 26 Nov (DF); 27 MP 28 Nov (AnW). PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS WHITE-WINGED DOVE: F1HW 31 Oct (RBA); Westhampton Beach, SUFF 16 Nov (Irina Richardson). COMMON GROUND-DOVE: CSP 31 Oct- 21 Nov (PJL, SSM, mob), 28 Nov (BR, Eric Rubel); first state record. Monk Parakeet: reps from all counties except NEWY; max 30 Greenwood Cem, KING; also: 6 Massapequa, NASS 7 Sep (DK); 4 Baldwin Harbor P. NASS 21 Nov (BB), nest noted. Yellow-billed Cuckoo: DOP 23 Oct (RJ, et al); JBWE 29 Oct (K&SF); Westhampton 1 Nov (MH); late. Black-billed Cuckoo: <10 reps, last 9 Oct. Snowy Owl: not reported. Long-eared Owl: few, incl. JBWE ca. 10 Nov; Tobay 24 Nov. Short-eared Owl: 10 reps 2 Oct-27 Nov, max 7 BP 30 Oct (IG, TD). N. Saw-whet Owl: Northville 6 Nov (MLL); JBWE 7 Nov; PP 15 Nov; Tobay 26 Nov (PM); only reps. Com. Nighthawk: max 20 Garden City. NASS 3 Sep (BF); JBWE 4 Sep (mob); 10 PP 11 Sep (PD); RMSP 12 Sep (JGl); 3 Springs, SUFF 25 Sep (BRu, KR); Norman J. Levy Pres., NASS 2 Oct (BB); Montauk 6 Oct (VB); few. E. Whip-poor-will: Northville 3 Sep (MLL), heard calling. Chimney Swift: max 180 New York State Armory, RICH 2 Sep (CB); 60 CHP 11 Oct (RV), low numbers. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 61 FIHW 14 Sep (RJK et al); Babylon, SUFF 20-22 Nov (K&SF), late. Red-headed Woodpecker: RMSP 4 Sep (SSM); RMSP 5 Sep (BBo); Snug Harbor, RICH 19 Oct (MS): RMSP 22 Oct (JQ, BB, mob); RMSP 30 Oct (PJL, SSM); only reps. The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) 99 Hairy Woodpecker: FT 8 Oct (SA, SM); JBSP 21-23 Nov (AB, EE); unus on barrier beach. FLYCATCHERS WAXWINGS Olive-sided Flycatcher: SMSP 11 Sep (JG1); PP 11 Sep (fide PD); CP 11 Sep (fide TF); CP 15 Sep (RBA); KP 23 Sep (CF), late. E. Phoebe: max 57 RMSP 10 Oct (AB). ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER: JBWE 25 Nov (SW). W. Kingbird: SMSP 10 Sep (NK, mob); RMSP 17 Sep (RBA); Bridgehampton 18 Sep (fide HM), Montauk 18 Sep (AnW); RMSP 20 Sep (RJK); FT 8 Oct (SA. SM): CSP 1-15 Nov (SSM, mob); RMSP 7 Nov (PJL et al.fi Rita’s Stables, Montauk 21 Nov (PJL, SSM). E. Kingbird: max 37 RMSP 5 Sep (SSM), large number. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE: JBWE 30 Oct thru (SN, MR, mob), intro. N. Shrike: Montauk 31 Oct (JG, AnW ph). White-eyed Vireo: MP 9 Oct (AnW), last. Blue-headed Yireo: JBWE 7 Nov (BB. DF); 3 DOP 13 Nov (AxW); late. Philadelphia Vireo: many this season: Rocky Pt Pres 1 Sep (RK); APP 5 Sep (JR); 2 APP 6 Sep (TWB); Jam Bay 6 Sep (SW); VSSP 6 Sep (BB); Hoyt Farm P, SUFF 9-10 Sep (JG1); SMSP 9 Sep (VP); 3 APP 10 Sep (CF); CP 10 Sep (JD); 2 Rocky Pt Pres. 11 Sep (RK); PP 11 Sep (fide PD); CP 11 Sep (Jide TF); APP 11 Sep (RBA): RMSP 11 Sep (RJK): APP 22-23 Sep (JR, SyS, JG); CLP 26 Sep (HF); APP 26 Sep (JR); RMSP 10 Oct (DF et at.), ph; PP 19- 29 Oct (fide PD, SSM), ph, late; Quogue 30 Oct (OB!), late. Blue Jay: 17 rnigr FT 8 Oct (SA, SM), unus on barrier beach. Am. Crow: 139 Cutchogue 26 Sep (JSe), large number. Fish Crow: max 86 Setauket, SUFF 29 Oct (BY). COMMON RAVEN (RIO): widespread: 2 Kew Gardens, QUEE 6 Sep (SA); Frick Estate 23 Sep (PM); Plainview, NASS 24 Sep (M&SB . fide PJL): Wagner College, RICH 26 Sep (HF); 2 Frick Estate 29 Sep (PM); Queens College, QUEE 30 Sep (fide AFj; JBWE 2 Oct (SW), first record on barrier beach; KP 10 Oct (EM, et at.); Sands Pt, Pres., NASS 11 Oct (GQ, etal); CP 13 Oct (JD, LF): Montauk 23 Oct (D. Rogers, ph, fide AnW); 2 Jam Bay 24 Oct (SW): 2 Idlewild Park Pres, QUEE 24 Oct (RBA); Forest Hills, QUEE 28 Oct (CF); 2 Riverdale 29 Oct (PAB); Silver L P. RICH 31 Oct (HF); Ml. Sinai, SUFF 1 Nov (K. Klecan); 2 Rocky Pt. Pres., SUFF 1 Nov (DH); Rocky Pt. Pres. 14 Nov (DH); Poll Richmond, RICH 17 Nov (MS); intro . Tree Swallow: max 3000 JBWE 20 Oct (K&SF, RJK); 2500 JBSP 1 Nov (SSi); 95 JBWE 19 Nov (SA); 50 JBWE 26 Nov (BB). N, Rough-winged Swallow: not reported. Bank Swallow: max 10 JBWE 1 1 Sep (BB); Terrell R County P, SUFF 2 Oct (RK), late. Cliff Swallow: max 5 RMSP 9 Sep (SSM et al.fi last 2 Oct (SSM et at.). CAVE SWALLOW: 4 FT 30 Oct (SA, CF); 4 RMSP 30 Oct (PJL, SSM); 14 Coney 124 Nov (SB); 5 BP 24 Nov (AB); JBWE 24 Nov (SMB, BB); 2 Roosevelt I, NEWY 25 Nov (AF); 4 JBWE 25 Nov (SA, SW, TWB, mob), one killed by vehicle; RMSP 25 Nov (SSM et al.fi MLUA 26 Nov (RG, mob); intro. Barn Swallow: last 18 Oct. BOREAL CHICKADEE (R10): Coney 1 9 Nov (SB!). Red-breasted Nuthatch: abundant on barrier beaches thru. Marsh Wren: APP 21 Sep (JR), unus loc. Golden-crow ned Kinglet: max 300 RMSP 30 Oct (SSM), large number. Ruby-crowned Kinglet: max 80 CP 10 Oct (JD); 58 Caumsett SP 18 Oct (SF); 55 RMSP 7 Nov (BVD). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: MP 31 Oct (AnW); WPP 12-19 Nov (RV); late. E. Bluebird: max 85 FT 30 Oct (SA, CF); 80 Riverdale 30 Oct (RAB); 75 DOP 3 Nov (SB); 16 PP 12 Nov (RJ); at least 16 additional widespread reps. Gray-cheeked Thrush: CP 16 Sep (PhJ); Bryant P, NEWY 9 Oct (RBA). BICKNELLS THRUSH: CP 2 Oct (LS!, H. Maas), Hermit Thrush: max 68 RMSP 1 Nov (AB). Am. Robin: 929 RMSP 30 Oct (SSM); rep of 1000 CP, several dates. VARIED THRUSH: fern type East Marion, SUFF 26 Nov thru (fide HM); fern type CP 28 Nov thru (Mike Bryant, Ray Sly per, mob). Brown Thrasher: max 10 SMSP 12 Sep (BF). Am. Pipit: arr 2 RMSP 26 Sep (SSM); largest counts: 105 VCP 30 Oct (AB); 109 RMSP^7 Nov (SSM et at.); 35 DOP 10 Nov (AxW); 35 Caumsett SP 10 Nov-(SF). Cedar Waxwing: largest counts: 206 RMSP 15 Sep (SSM et al. fi max 232 RMSP 10 Oct (SSM et al.fi 105 FT 30 Oct (SA, CF). LONGSPURS - WARBLERS Lapland Longspun: 2 Bay Ridge, KING 10 Oct, early; JBWE 13 Oct (KF); Pt. Lookout 17 Oct (ABi); 2 JBWE 20 Oct (KF); CB 31 Oct 100 The Kingbird 2010 March; 61 (1) (PJL, SSM); 1-2 JBWE 16 Nov thru (mob); 7 JBWE 21 Nov (TWB, GB); 8 JBWE 26 Nov (BB). Snow Bunting: arr CB 18 Oct (JQ); max 113 JBWE 19 Nov (SA, SB, CF). Blue-winged Warbler: CP 13 Sep, last. Tennessee Warbler: Coney 19 Nov (SB), late. Orange-crowned Warbler: 18 reps involving 20 birds, first SPCP 2 Oct. Nashville Warbler: Pt. Lookout 7 Nov (BB); Quoguc 19 Nov (OB); late. Magnolia Warbler: KP 29 Oct (CF), late. Cape May Warbler: lew; ca. 20 reps involving 22 birds; MP 2 Oct (RBA); CP 20 Oct (RB), last. Yellow-rumped Warbler: arr RMSP 9 Sep; max 4000 RMSP 22 Oct (SF), large number. Yellow-throated Warbler: SMSP 10 Sep (VP). “Western” Palm Warbler: max 250 JBWE 11 Sep (BB). Blackpoll Warbler: RMSP 7 Nov (K&SF); Zach’s Bay, JBSP 7 Nov (K&SF); Pt. Lookout 19 Nov (SA, SB, CF); late. Black-and-white Warbler: Stuyvesant Cove, NEWY 2 Nov {fide Anne Lazarus), late. Am. Redstart: PP 21-25 Nov (RJ, AxW, mob); CP 30 Nov (EE); late. Prothonotary Warbler: New York Public Library, NEWY 21-28 Oct (MR, mob), unus loc, very late, intro. Worm-eating Warbler: 4 reps; APP 11 Sep (AB), last NT. Waterthrush: 25 Jam Bay 11 Sep (KM); 43 RMSP 6 Sep (SSM et ell.); 63 RMSP 11 Sep (SSM et ai. ); Sagg 31 Oct (MH, ES), late. Connecticut W arbler: 2 APP 9 Sep (EM); APP 10 Sep (MN, SM); CP 16 Sep (SS, mob); Douglaston, QUEE 26 Sep (JR); FT 3 Oct (K. Mirth); DOP 18 Oct (SB), late; Riverdale 30 Oct (PAB), very late. Mourning Warbler: RMSP 6 Oct (DK, BR), last. Com. Yellowthroat: PP 18 Nov (RJ); Ama 26 Nov (KR, BRu), late. Hooded Warbler: Broad Channel, QUEE 20 Oct (RBA); ad m Belmont L SP 24 Oct (JL, AG); late. Wilson's Warbler: DOP 13 Nov (AxW), very late. Canada Warbler: DOP 2 Oct (AxW); Jam Bay 2 Oct (fide AF); last. Yellow-breasted Chat: APP 5 Sep (EM); PP 5 Sep (fide PD); RMSP 6 Sep (JQ); JBWE 6 Sep (BB); CP 7 Sep (CF); CP 10 Sep (JD, LF): 2 RMSP 14 Sep (KF); CHP 24 Sep (DE); Pt. Lookout 2 Oct (BB); CP 2-3 Oct (RBA); RP 10 Oct (SS, mob); FT 17 Oct (CF, SA, 1G, TD); The Kingbird 2010 March; 61(1) NYBG 23 Oct (AB1); Quogue 23 Oct (OB); Ft. Wadsworth 2 Nov (CB). TOWHEES - WEAVERS Am. Tree Sparrow: air JBWE 7 Nov. Clay-colored Sparrow: RMSP 6 Sep (SSM, mob); RMSP 16 Sep (KF); 2 RMSP 17 Sep (KF); FBF 19 Sep (JD, SB, mob); RMSP 24-26 Sep (JG, SyS), JGl); SMSP 26-28. Sep (SSM, VP); JBWE 2-3 Oct (BB. mob); PP 5 Oct (RJ); JBWE 8 Oct (PD); JBWE 11 Oct (PJL, AB, RA); Shinn 11 Oct (ES); RMSP 17 Oct (JV, KF); PP 15 Nov (PD), late. Vesper Sparrow: JBWE 8 Oct (PD) KP 9 Oct (CF); 2 FT 17 Oct (CF, IG, SA); David Weld Sanctuary, SUFF 17 Oct (VP); 3 PP 19 Oct (RB; RJ); RMSP 12 Oct (JQ); DOP 18 Oct (SB); JBWE 22 Oct (P.I, mob); 3 Caumsett SP 23 Oct (SA. GH, SM); 4 Caumsett SP 24 Oct (KF); 2 KP 29 Oct (CF); CP 29 Oct (JD, LF); JBSP 30 Oct (BB); CB 31 Oct (RBA); MP 31 Oct (AnW); CB 6 Nov (PJL, SSM); many. Lark Sparrow: RMSP 4-7 Sep (ROP, mob); Pt. Lookout 25 Sep (RK): JBWE 6 Oct (RBA); Zach’s Bay, JBSP 6-12 Nov (K&SF, mob). “Ipswich” Savannah Sparrow: Pt. Lookout 1 8 Sep (BB!), early. Grasshopper Sparrow: Calv 7 Oct (LO), only rep. Nelson’s Sparrow: 5 Plumb Beach, KING 28 Sep (SB, CF); Terrell R County P 2 Oct (RK); Plumb Beach 3 Oct (SA, AB); 3 Plumb Beach 9 Oct (SB); FT 9 Oct (DK, BR); 3 Plumb Beach 18 Oct (SB); 2 Plumb Beach 24 Oct (RJ, et al); 2 CB 26 Oct (JSe); 3 Plumb Beach 31 Oct (SB); CCP 14 Nov (RK). Saltmarsh Sparrow: 5 Plumb Beach 28 Sep (SB, CF); 4 MNSA 5 Oct (CF); 2 Plumb Beach 9 Oct (SB); Plumb Beach 31 Oct (SB); CCP 31 Oct (RK); JBSP 6 Nov (AB). Seaside Sparrow: Plumb Beach 28 Sep (SB); 4 MNSA 5 Oct (CF); Hampton Bays 2 Nov (MH). Fox Sparrow: arr Wagner College 12 Oct (HF). Lincoln’s Sparrow: at least 22 reps, inch arr RMSP 14 Sep (KF); Bryant P, 6 Oct (BC), unus loc; Caumsett SP 23 Oct (SA, GH, SM); JBWE 29 Oct - 1 Nov (PB, mob), last. Swamp Sparrow: max 45 Caumsett SP 24 Oct (SF). White-throated Sparrow: max 500 CP 10 Oct (JD) and 24 Oct (CF), large numbers. White-crowned Sparrow: more numerous than usual, over 125 reps; an- APP 20 Sep (JR); max 30 imm MP 9 Oct (AnW); 22 FT & RP 9 Oct (SA, IG); 26 FBF 1 1 Oct (AB); 6 Shinn 11 101 Oct (ES); 10 Ridge, SUFF 17 Oct (RK); 18 JBWE 22 Oct (SF); 15 Blue Heron P, RICH 23 Oct (HF. el al); 24 Caumsett SP 24 Oct (SF); 7 CSP 26 Oct (RJK). Dark-eyed Junco: large numbers; 18 reps involving 200 or more birds each; arr 19 Sep; 171 Northville 30 Oct (MLL); max 450 FT & RP 30 Oct (SA); 350 RMSP 7 Nov (SF); 400 CP 11 Nov (JD). Summer Tanager: FT 2-3 Oct (IG, SA, CF, AB); JBWE 2 Oct (PB). Rose-breasted Grosbeak: PP 27 Oct (fide PD), last. Blue Grosbeak: At least 18 reps; RMSP 9 Sep (SSM); 4 FIHW 15 Sep (RJK el at.); 2 RMSP 2 Oct (SSM et at.); JBWE 20 Oct (K&SF), last. Dickcissel: RMSP 5-6 Sep (PJL, SSM); RMSP 14 Sep (KF); 3 FIHW 14 Sep (RJK); 2 Pt. Lookout 18 Sep W W o o 3 o